Washington § 46.61.570 - Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places — Reserving portion of highway prohibited.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 46.61.570 — Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places — Reserving portion of highway prohibited., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 46.61.570. Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places — Reserving portion of highway prohibited.

(1) Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device, no person shall:
(a) Stop, stand, or park a vehicle:
(i) On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;
(ii) On a sidewalk or street planting strip;
(iii) Within an intersection;
(iv) On a crosswalk;
(v) Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless official signs or markings indicate a different no-parking area opposite the ends of a safety zone;
(vi) Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic;
(vii) Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway tunnel;
(viii) On any railroad tracks;
(ix) In the area between roadways of a divided highway including crossovers; or
(x) At any place where official signs prohibit stopping.
(b) Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers:
(i) In front of a public or private driveway or within five feet of the end of the curb radius leading thereto, except that a city or county may, by ordinance or resolution, allow residential property owners within their jurisdiction to park, or allow another to park, across the point of ingress or egress of the driveway entering on to the residential property, provided that the driveway is no longer than 50 feet and that such parking does not obstruct a sidewalk, another driveway, or the roadway;
(ii) Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;
(iii) Within 20 feet of a crosswalk;
(iv) Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway;
(v) Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of said entrance when properly signposted; or
(vi) At any place where official signs prohibit standing.
(c) Park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers:
(i) Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing; or
(ii) At any place where official signs prohibit parking.
(2) Parking or standing shall be permitted in the manner provided by law at all other places except a time limit may be imposed or parking restricted at other places but such limitation and restriction shall be by city ordinance or county resolution or order of the secretary of transportation upon highways under their respective jurisdictions.
(3) No person shall move a vehicle not lawfully under his or her control into any such prohibited area or away from a curb such a distance as is unlawful.
(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to reserve or attempt to reserve any portion of a highway for the purpose of stopping, standing, or parking to the exclusion of any other like person, nor shall any person be granted such right.
[ 2025 c 137 s 1; 1977 ex.s. c 151 s 40; 1975 c 62 s 35; 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 66.]

Notes

Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule—IRLJ 6.2.
Federal requirements—1977 ex.s. c 151: See RCW 47.98.070.
Severability—1975 c 62: See note following RCW 36.75.010.
Limited access highways: RCW 47.52.120.

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 46.61.570

What does Revised Code of Washington § 46.61.570 cover?

Section 46.61.570 ("Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places — Reserving portion of highway prohibited.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 46.61.570?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 46.61.570" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

How does Washington § 46.61.570 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Washington can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Washington.