Parking Enforcement

The Battle Ground Police Department is responsible for responding to service requests related to abandoned vehicles within the public right-of-way.  The presence of abandoned, dismantled, or inoperable vehicles can create health and/or safety hazards, decrease property values, and may attract additional nuisance issues such as rodents and/or vandalism. 

Additional information regarding abandoned vehicles within the City of Battle Ground is available within the Battle Ground Municipal Code, BGMC 8.15

The City may institute limited or no parking designations on public streets to help keep vehicles moving, promoting safety and efficient use of space in commercial and residential areas throughout the City.  (BGMC 10.14)

View the current resolution adopted by the Battle Ground City Council designating "no parking areas", "limited parking areas", and bike lanes within the City of Battle Ground. 

Common Violations

• No Parking -Fire Lane:  It is unlawful to park or leave standing any vehicle in areas designated as fire access lanes, identified by signs (BGMC 10.14.035) 
• Designated No Parking Zones:  It is unlawful to park any place where official signs prohibit stopping. (RCW. 46.61.570 A.10)
• Designated ADA Parking:  It is unlawful to park a vehicle for persons with physical disabilities without a placard or special license plate.  (RCW 46.19.050.4)  
• Parking Near a Fire Hydrant:  It is unlawful to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. (RCW 46.61.570 B.2)

Long-term storage of trucks, boats, trailers, and other recreational vehicles is prohibited on public streets. (BGMC 10.16.060).

Commonly Requested Information:

• Parking Maximum:  72-hours, every 14-days
• Visitors:  A recreational vehicle may be parked and occupied for a maximum of 14-days, within a 120-day period (successive days).
• Violations:  Violations of BGMC 10.164.060 are subject to a $250 fine.  

Parking in residential areas can be a significant issue, with many homes having more vehicles associated with them than can be accommodated by their designated parking spaces or drives.  It is important to ensure that neighborhood streets remain open and clear of obstructions for drivers and emergency response vehicles.  

The area in front of a residential driveway is a public right-of-way, not private property.  While the driveway belongs to the homeowner, the space in front of the driveway is under the jurisdiction governing agency and is subject to public road ordinances.  

Common Violations

• Parking Near Driveways:  It is unlawful to park within 5-feet of a private or public driveway. Doing so can obstruct the other motorists and/or pedestrians from accessing the public right-of-way.  (RCW 46.61.570 B.1)
•  Parking on Private Property: Battle Ground's Code Enforcement division is responsible for responding to code violations that occur on private property.  For additional information on Code Enforcment or to report a concern pertaining to parking on private property please contact Code Enforcement.  

• Direction of Parked Vehicle:  It is unlawful to park a vehicle facing opposite of the authorized direction of traffic, when parking streetside.  (RCW 46.61.575)
• Parking Along a Two-Lane Road:  Vehicles stopped or parked upon a two-way roadway shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels parallel to, and within, twelve inches of the right-hand curb or as close as practical to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder. (RCW 46.61.575)  
• Parking on a Sidewalk:  It is unlawful to park a vehicle on a sidewalk or planting strip. (RCW 46.61.570 A.2)
• Parking Near a Stop Sign:  It is unlawful to park a vehicle within 30 feet of a stop sign.  (RCW 46.61.570 B.4)

Drivers that reside in the State of Washington are required to register their vehicles in Washington with the Department of Licensing.  Additionally, drivers are required to maintain their vehicle registration and properly display license plates and decals, in accordance with RCW 46.16A.040. 

If a vehicle, parked on a public street, alley, or other property owned by the City, has expired registration, trip permit, or does not have a displayed license plate, it may be subject to penalties as outlined in BGMC 10.14.030. 

Compliance Procedure

• Warning - The Battle Ground Police Department Parking Enforcement Unit will seek voluntary compliance from the vehicle owner and will issue a warning for the initial violation.  The vehicle owner will have 7 days to update the registration to be in compliance. 
• Infraction - Vehicle owners that fail to register a vehicle will be in violation of state law and subject to penalties, including the issuance of a citation. 
• Fines - $75 registration expired 0-90 days; $150 registration expired 90 days or more. 
• Impound - Any vehicles found to be in violation of the aforementioned regulations may be removed from the public right-of-way and towed to storage or impound lot at the sole expense of the owner of the motor vehicle. (RCW 46.55.113(2))