Meters and disabled placards
Do I have to pay the meter with a disabled placard?
Under state law, a person who qualifies, displaying a valid placard or special plate, may park free for unlimited periods in time-restricted or metered zones. Exceptions apply, including local time restrictions of four hours or more.
- The vehicle must be used to transport the holder, and the placard or plate must be displayed.
- Does not apply where stopping, parking or standing is prohibited for all vehicles, in zones reserved for special vehicles (fire lanes, loading zones), or in privately owned lots.
- A local government may set time limits of no less than four hours on non-reserved on-street spaces for placard holders, if clearly posted.
Confirmed from official sourceVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“allowed free of charge to park a vehicle being used to transport the holder of such special parking privileges for unlimited periods of time” (RCW 46.61.582 - Free parking for persons with disabilities)
“A local jurisdiction may impose by ordinance time restrictions of no less than four hours on the use of nonreserved, on-street parking spaces” (RCW 46.19.050 - Restrictions, prohibitions, violations, penalties)
“On the street, for free, in any parking space that is time restricted (including metered parking).” (WA Department of Licensing - Using disabled parking)
Disabled parking placards
Who can get a disabled parking placard, and are other states' placards honored?
A person whose disability meets a listed criterion (for example, cannot walk 200 feet without resting) may apply with a health professional's authorization. We could not confirm how other states' placards are treated.
- Only the permit holder may use the privilege; it is illegal for anyone else to use it.
- Temporary placards are valid up to one year from the date noted by the health care provider; permanent placards are renewed every 5 years.
- Out-of-state placard reciprocity was not found on a Washington official page.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: noVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“A natural person who has a disability that meets one of the following criteria may apply for special parking privileges” (RCW 46.19.010 - Criteria for natural persons)
“You are the only one authorized to use this privilege.” (WA Department of Licensing - Using disabled parking)
Time limits and overtime
How long can I stay in a time-limited space, and what happens if I overstay?
We could not confirm a statewide rule. As an example, Seattle's traffic code does not allow a vehicle to stay on a city street longer than 72 hours; posted time limits also apply on signed blocks.
- Example city: Seattle.
- Seattle says to move your vehicle off the blockface at least once every 72 hours.
- Other Washington cities set their own limits.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“the City's Traffic Code does not allow a vehicle to be parked on a city street for longer than 72 hours” (Example city: Seattle - 72-Hour On-Street Parking Ordinance)
“Move your vehicle off the blockface at least once every 72 hours.” (Example city: Seattle - 72-Hour On-Street Parking Ordinance)
Snow emergencies and street cleaning
When do I have to move my car for snow or street cleaning?
Set by cities. Example: Seattle's transportation department advises avoiding parking on a snow route; temporary no-parking signs for cleaning or other work may go up with at least 24 hours notice.
- Seattle says cars must be moved by the time on temporary signs or may be cited, towed and impounded.
- No statewide snow or street-cleaning parking rule was confirmed.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“Try to avoid parking your car on a street that is on a snow route.” (Seattle DOT - Snow Plow Routes (city example))
“Vehicles must be moved by the time indicated or drivers may receive a citation and their vehicle may be towed and impounded.” (Seattle DOT - 72-Hour On-Street Parking Ordinance (city example))
Overnight parking and permits
Can I park on the street overnight?
Set by cities. Example: Seattle does not allow a vehicle on the same block of a city street for longer than 72 consecutive hours, sign or no sign. Many neighborhoods also have permit zones.
- Seattle's first enforcement step is a warning notice.
- No statewide overnight street-parking rule was confirmed.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“does not allow a person to park a vehicle on the same block of a city street for longer than 72 consecutive hours.” (Seattle DOT - 72-Hour On-Street Parking Ordinance (city example))
Towing and fines
What can I be fined or towed for, and how do I get my car back?
State law makes parking in a disabled space without a placard or plate a $250 infraction (plus a $200 assessment) and lets police tow it. You have a right to a court hearing on an impound.
- Misusing a placard (expired, forged or someone else's) is also a $250 infraction plus $200 assessment.
- Blocking a disabled access aisle is a $250 infraction plus $200 assessment.
- Anyone redeeming an impounded vehicle has a right to a hearing in district or municipal court on the tow or fees.
- Ordinary street-parking fines are set by cities.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“It is a parking infraction, with a monetary penalty of two hundred fifty dollars, for any person to park a vehicle in a parking place” (RCW 46.19.050 - Restrictions, prohibitions, violations, penalties)
“Whenever a vehicle without a special license plate, placard, or decal indicating that the vehicle is being used to transport a person with disabilities” (RCW 46.55.113 - Removal by police officer)
“Any person seeking to redeem an impounded vehicle under this section has a right to a hearing in the district or municipal court” (RCW 46.55.120 - Redemption of vehicles)
Ask about parking rules
COMING SOONSoon you will be able to ask a question and get an answer from these verified rules, with the source.
General information, not legal advice. Local signs and ordinances always apply.
