Seattle might impose neighborhood parking rules without resident petition

If you've circled the block looking for parking in front of your house, you understand the impetus for so-called RPZs — Restricted Parking Zones — that ban long-term parking in residential neighborhoods without a permit.

Since the late 1970s, residents could get a zone for their neighborhood if they could collect enough signatures from neighbors to prove parking restrictions were needed. Once a zone was created, there was a two-hour parking limit for nonresidents and unlimited parking for residents who bought $45 two-year permits from the city.

Now the Seattle City Council is considering the biggest change ever to neighborhood street-parking restrictions. Instead of residents determining when restrictions are needed, the city's transportation department would decide.

Under the new system, the city would study parking in the area. If more than 75 percent of the parking spaces were in use, and more than 35 percent of the parked cars belonged to nonresidents, the city would consider a new zone.

The changes would apply citywide but are timed for the opening of light rail next month. Because the train stations in Seattle won't have parking, the new zones are to keep people from bringing their cars to park in the neighborhoods when catching a train.

The City Council is expected to vote Monday.

The zones — commonly called Residential Parking Zones but officially named Restricted Parking Zones — have been on the rise as Seattle neighborhoods become more mixed-use, with apartments, condos, retail areas and transit hubs within walking distance of single-family houses. Over the years, people have formed 27 zones in the city.

While residents could still file a petition with the city demonstrating neighborhood support, a petition would no longer be required. The new rules also would limit the number of parking permits to four per household and require zones to be at least 10 blocks, an increase in minimum size. Also, South Seattle businesses near the light-rail line could get permits for employees to park in neighborhoods.

Existing zones won't be affected by the new rule changes.

Despite a call from some neighborhood activists for more public-comment time, a hearing last week drew only five speakers.

The Southwest District Council opposes the rule changes because a new zone couldn't be created if parking was a problem in only part of a 10-block area. Members say that, given West Seattle's often-hilly terrain, shoppers aren't likely to be keen on parking 10 blocks away from popular shopping areas; yet spots close to the retailers are tough to nab.

That could make it difficult to get the zone approved because part of the area likely wouldn't have enough parking congestion. The city said smaller zones are too expensive to patrol.

Some people also oppose letting South Seattle businesses get permits, something not allowed in other parts of town. The council plans to re-examine that issue in a year.

City Councilmember Jan Drago, chairwoman of the council's transportation committee, said a more formal process for resident input will give neighborhoods more say.

"The council's changes have given ... more control back to the residents, while also updating a very outdated program," she said. The new rules also set up more ways to involve residents in decisions about new parking restrictions, such as with public hearings.

And the city is trying to eliminate one particular parking hassle. Starting this summer, the permits will be sold online, saving residents a trip downtown.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com