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Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) Program
Curb space is part of the public street system, a public good available for all people to use. To restrict the use of curb space for some requires a compelling reason. The Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) Program was created to help ease parking congestion in residential neighborhoods, while b alancing the needs of all people to be able to use the public streets. RPZs help neighborhoods deal with the impacts through signed time limits from which vehicles displaying a valid RPZ permit are exempt.
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Important Changes in RPZ Program Rules and Permits: Please Read!
Effective in 2010: Program Improvements!
The system for permit distribution and the actual permits themselves are changing:
- Permits will be designed specifically for each vehicle, with the vehicle’s license plate imprinted on the decal and guest hangtag. This will be a great aid to enforcement staff, who will be able to provide more and better enforcement because of these new permits. Current permits are still valid until their expiration date.
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New lookup tool to easily see if your residential address is eligible for an RPZ permit. This tool will also tell you how many decals and hangtags are currently available for your residential address. If you have problems or questions about using the lookup tool, please click here for some suggestions.
- New online RPZ permitting—under development! Check back for go-live date.
- If you receive a utility bill in your name, and your vehicle is registered in your name at an RPZ-eligible address, you can use this new online system. Apply, pay with your credit card, and print your temporary 10-day pass, all from the comfort of your own home or office. Your new permit will arrive in the mail in a few days.
- If online is not for you, then use the mail-in application, include a copy of your vehicle registration, address verification (e.g. a bill or invoice, lease/rental agreement, rent receipt, bank or credit card statement, or business type mail) and your check, just as in the past.
Also Effective January 2010, the following new program rules go into effect:
- Permit Limits: Each residential address is eligible for up to four RPZ decals and one guest hangtag per address.
- Parking location: You must park within six blocks of your home address.
- Single-Day Permits: Single-day use guest permits are available, up to five per day, up to a total of 50 per year per address, at $1 each. (Not available in Zones A and B). Click here for an application
- Motorcycles and Scooters: Motorcycles and scooters belonging to residents or their guests are authorized to park in an RPZ without displaying an RPZ permit.
- Fines: New fines are in place for illegal use, purchase, or sale of an RPZ permit.
For further information on these changes click here. |
Am I eligible for an RPZ permit?
Click on the Zone number nearest your residence on the map below to see if you live on an eligible block. If you are eligible and are interested in obtaining an RPZ permit, then download the application and follow the instructions.
You can also
use our new lookup tool to easily see if your address is eligible for an RPZ permit
How do I apply for a permit?
To obtain an RPZ permit you must have:
- A completed application form (click on your zone on the map above to find the link to download the application).
- Current proof of residency showing your name and address, dated within the last 30 days. This can be a bill, bank statement, lease or rental agreement, rent receipt, or any properly dated business type mail other than mail from our office.
- A copy of your current Washington State Vehicle Registration. Your vehicle must be registered with the Washington State Department of Licensing (WA DOL) in your name and at your address. To change your address online, visit: www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/address.html#address. Titles, temporary registrations and bills of sale are not accepted. Out-of-state registration is accepted only for active duty military personnel providing proof of their status, or out-of-state students providing proof of non-resident status.
- Check or Money Order, made out to the City of Seattle. If applying in person, we also accept cash, Visa and Mastercard.
Mail application and materials to:
Seattle Department of Transportation
Traffic Permits
PO Box 34996
Seattle, WA 98124-4996
Please allow 7 to 10 days for us to process your order and for return mail.
If you want to visit us in person:
We are available to assist you Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Please arrive no later than 4:30p.m. The Traffic Permits Counter is located on the 37th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower (formerly Key Tower) at 700 Fifth Avenue (at Columbia Street) in downtown Seattle.
How much does it cost?
The current fee (as of January 1, 2009) for an RPZ decal is $45 per vehicle. Decals must remain affixed to the vehicle to which they have been assigned, and cannot be transferred between vehicles. Guest permits, which can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle, cost $15. Some zones are partially or fully subsidized by nearby major institutions to address the impacts of parking by their employees and students. To find out if your zone is subsidized, please click on your zone number on the map above.
We accept checks and money orders if applying by mail. If paying in person, we accept cash, checks, VISA and Mastercard.
More Information about the RPZ Program
An RPZ is typically established on blocks that have adjacent residential uses (houses, apartments, or condominiums) to discourage long-term parking by non-residents. An RPZ may be appropriate where the parking congestion is caused by a nearby business district, or by visitors or employees of a hospital or school.
An RPZ involves the posting of parking time limits or parking prohibitions from which vehicles displaying an appropriate, valid RPZ permit are exempt. Eligibility for an RPZ permit is restricted to residents living on the blocks where the RPZ is established. Eligible residents on an RPZ block may purchase one permit for each vehicle they own, and one guest pass (whether or not they own a vehicle). The following is a typical RPZ sign although the actual parking restriction may vary depending on the local conditions:
View the Seattle Municipal Code section about RPZs: SMC 11.16.317
Currently (April 2009) the cost of a permit is $45.00 and is good for one permit cycle or part thereof (most RPZ permits are on a 2-year cycle but there are some that operate on a 1-year cycle). The fees collected pay for the administrative cost of the permits and, as such, the fee is not prorated by the time remaining in the RPZ permit cycle. The permits can only be issued to residents who actually have the signs installed on their block or who live within the RPZ boundary. Permits cannot be issued to non-residents, business owners or employees.
Contact us:
For questions about RPZs please call us. We can be reached Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 pm at (206) 684-5086.
If you are interested in the process for initiating an RPZ for your neighborhood, please click here for more information.
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