Shoreline to introduce first parking enforcement equipment amid city growth

COSTA, Washington — Shoreline’s first parking enforcement program will soon be underway as the city adjusts to recent growth and the addition of two light rail stations serving Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link extension.

Two dedicated parking enforcement officers will begin work this fall, and their efforts will be extended citywide. The city had planned to begin the program over the summer, but negotiations to secure a software and hardware vendor to provide the equipment needed to track tickets took longer than expected.

Parking enforcement officers will initially focus on informing drivers about where and how to park legally in Shoreline, but will issue tickets for violations. Some examples of illegal parking include being too far from the curb, leaving a vehicle in a bus or bike lane, parking too close to intersections or mailboxes, as well as ignoring posted signs.

Parking enforcement officers will also have the authority to ticket and tow abandoned and inoperable vehicles left in the right-of-way.

Shoreline Police Department officers have always had the authority to issue parking tickets, but their priority is responding to 911 calls. This will be the first time Shoreline has a dedicated team to enforce parking regulations.

The need to control parking is tied to new development in the city, with new housing and apartment complexes being built along the Aurora Avenue corridor, Ballinger Way NE, the North City neighborhood and the two light rail stations.

According to a post on the city’s website, other communities that have already opened light rail stations have experienced “an increased need for parking enforcement due to new developments around public transit and people using transit parking in neighborhoods, also known as ‘hidden and ride-hailing parking.’ In response to these issues, the city is implementing a new parking enforcement program.”

A parking study is also being conducted near the two light rail stations to determine the impact of the transit system on parking availability in the surrounding neighborhoods. Shoreline could establish restricted parking zones, which would require a permit to park a car on a public street during certain hours of the day. Residents in the RPZ would be eligible for a certain number of permits.

Results of the parking study are not expected to be available until June.