Spokane Municipal Code

Term

Definition

Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS)

Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) means integrated devices that communicate information about the “WALK” and “DON’T WALK” intervals at signalized intersections in non-visual formats to pedestrians who are blind or have low vision.

Alley

An alley means a public highway not designed for general travel and used primarily as a means of access to the rear of residences and business establishments. (RCW 46.04.020)

Application-based Rental of Electronically Activated Personal Transportation Devices

Application-based Rental of Electronically Activated Personal Transportation Devices means a method of renting a personal transportation device solely by means of a smartphone-enabled software application.

Approved Bicycle Helmet

Approved Bicycle Helmet means a head covering designed for safety that shall meet or exceed the requirements safety standards adopted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 15 USCS 6004, or Z-00.4 set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Snell Foundation, the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), or other subsequent nationally recognized standard for helmet performance as the county may adopt. The helmet must be equipped with either a neck or chinstrap that shall be fastened securely while the wheeled vehicle is in motion.

Authorized Personnel

Authorized Personnel means persons authorized to operate utility vehicles on public property and includes designated employees of Spokane Police and Spokane Parks and Recreation, as well as agents of any other public entity designated by, or contracting with, the City of Spokane for the maintenance of public properties.

Authorized Use

Authorized Use means the use of a utility vehicle that is city-owned or authorized and by someone who is authorized to operate the vehicle for a purpose described in SMC 16A.65.020.

Block Face

Block Face is one side of a street, inclusive of the public right-of-way between two consecutive features intersecting that street. The features can be other streets or boundaries of standard geographic areas.

Boat Livery

A Boaty Livery means a business that holds any vessel for renting or leasing.

Boating Accident

Boating Accident means a collision, sinking, fire, explosion, injury, or loss of life that involves a vessel, its equipment, or its appendages.

Buoy

A Buoy is a floating device or marker anchored in the water. All buoys, except for recreational buoys, shall comply with the Uniform State Waterway Marking System (USWMS).

Buoy Line

Buoy Line means a straight line that would exist if drawn between the closest safety buoys.

Charging Session

Charging Session is an event starting when a user or a vehicle initiates a refueling event and stops when a user or a vehicle ends a refueling event (RCW 19.94.010)

City-Authorized Utility Vehicle

City-Authorized Utility Vehicle means a small motorized four-wheel off-road vehicle owned or authorized by the City of Spokane and used to carry out specific tasks, such as those related to park security, law enforcement, or emergency management. Utility vehicles do not include golf carts, motorized personal transportation devices, bicycles, or other non-motorized vehicles.

Commercial Vehicle

Commercial Vehicle is any vehicle the principal use of which is the transportation of commodities, merchandise, produce, freight, animals, or passengers for hire. (RCW 46.04.140)

Congested District

The Congested District is the area established within the Paid Parking Zone bounded and identified on the Paid Parking Zone Map.

Dock

Dock means any manmade platform extending from the shoreline into the water.

Downtown Residential Parking District (DRPD)

Downtown Residential Parking District (DRPD) means a portion of the street commonly used for vehicular parking where vehicles properly displaying a parking permit or other City-approved authorization are exempt from the payment required pursuant to  SMC 16A.05.280.

Downtown Residential Parking District Permit (DRPD Permit)

Downtown Residential Parking District Permit (DRPD Permit) means a printed pass, decal, electronic privilege associated with a specific vehicle license plate, or other identification issued to an eligible person to be displayed in or on the vehicle, as directed by the City, that enables it to park in a Downtown Residential Parking District.

Electric Vehicle

An Electric Vehicle is any vehicle that operates, either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from (the grid or) an off-board source, that is stored on-board for motive purposes. Includes any one of the following:

1. A "battery electric vehicle," any vehicle that operates exclusively on electrical energy from an off-board source that is stored in the vehicle's batteries and produces zero tailpipe emissions or pollution when stationary or operating.

2. A "plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)," an electric vehicle that a) contains an internal combustion engine and also allows power to be delivered to drive wheels by an electric motor; b) charges its battery primarily by connecting to the grid or other off-board electrical source; c) may additionally be able to sustain battery charge using an on-board internal-combustion-driven generator; and 4) can travel powered by electricity.

3. A "neighborhood electric vehicle," a self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle whose speed attainable in one mile is more than 20 miles per hour and not more than 25 miles per hour and conforms to federal regulations set forth in 49 C.F.R Sec. 571.500.

4. A "medium-speed electric vehicle," a self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle, equipped with a roll cage or crush-proof body design, whose speed attainable in one mile is more than 25 miles per hour but not more than 35 miles per hour, and otherwise meets or exceeds the federal regulations outlined in 49 C.F.R. Sec. 571.500.

Electric Vehicle Parking Space

An Electric Vehicle Parking Space is any signed parking space that identifies the use to be exclusively for the parking of an electric vehicle.

Electric Vehicle Service Provider

An Electric Vehicle Service Provider is the entity responsible for operating one or more networked or non-networked electric vehicle supply equipment. Operating includes but is not limited to: Sending commands or messages to a networked electric vehicle supply equipment; receiving commands or messages from a networked electric vehicle supply equipment; or providing billing, maintenance, reservations, or other services to a non-networked or networked electric vehicle supply equipment. An electric vehicle service provider may designate another entity to act as the electric vehicle service provider for purposes of this chapter. A state agency, an electric utility as defined in RCW 19.405.020, or a municipal corporation as defined in RCW 39.69.010 is considered an electric vehicle service provider when responsible for operating one or more publicly available electric vehicle supply equipment. (RCW 19.94.010)

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment is the unit controlling the power supply to one or more vehicles during a charging session (including, but not limited to, level 2 electric vehicle supply equipment and direct current fast chargers). (RCW 19.94.010)

Entertainment Parking District (EPD)

The Entertainment Parking District is the area established within the Paid Parking Zone for the purpose of meeting the specific operational and parking needs of the entertainment venues contained within the EPD as bounded and identified on the Paid Parking Zone Map.

Fire Lane

A Fire Lane is an area on public or private property reserved for providing Fire Department access to structures, firefighting fixtures, or equipment.

Flotation Device

Flotation Device means any device used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water and shall include, but not be limited to, inflatable beach toys, rubber inner tubes, rafts and air mattresses.

Highway

A Highway is the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. (RCW 46.04.197)

Household Unit

For purposes of the Downtown Residential Parking District, a Household Unit means any self-contained house, apartment, condominium, townhouse, detached or attached accessory dwelling unit, or group home that contains living, sleeping, and cooking quarters and is used by any number of related persons or up to six unrelated individuals. Each unit of a multiple-unit residential dwelling is considered a separate household unit.

Incidental Use

Incidental Use means very limited use of a utility vehicle on City streets, including entering the roadway, crossing a street, and otherwise traveling on a public right of way for the brief period necessary to access public property and, where authorized, to plow snow and ice from crosswalks.

Leading Pedestrian Interval

Leading Pedestrian Interval means a period of time during which an advance pedestrian green (i.e., “WALK” indication) for a crosswalk is displayed for a minimum of three seconds while red indications continue to be displayed to parallel, through, and/or turning vehicular traffic.

Modified or Enhanced

Modified or Enhanced means to alter the settings, displacement/horsepower, or muffler effect to achieve greater power and/or performance than provided when the unit was delivered from the factory for sale.

Mooring Buoy

A Mooring Buoy is a buoy placed for the mooring of vessels. Such buoys will be white with a blue stripe on top.

Motorboat

Motorboat means any vessel propelled in whole or in part by machinery, including those temporarily equipped with detachable motors.

Motorized Foot Scooter

Motorized Foot Scooter means a device with no more than two twelve-inch or smaller diameter wheels that has handlebars, is designed to be stood upon, but may have a seat, and is powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion.

Motorized Personal Transportation Device

Motorized Personal Transportation Device means motorized foot scooters, motorized skateboards, electronic personal assistive transportation devices, and all other similar devices, but shall be deemed to exclude motorized wheelchairs, motor-driven cycles, mopeds, and motorcycles.

Motorized Skateboard

Motorized Skateboard means every device with a platform having one or more sets of wheels beneath it, which the rider balances on top of, and which is either propelled by an attached or auxiliary, electric or gasoline motor.

Moving Water

Moving Water means a waterway that has a flow of water that can be measured in cubic feet per second.

Navigation Lights

Navigation Lights means a red port light and a green starboard light, and a white stern light visible at a distance of one hundred yards.

Non-Motorized Vessel

Non-Motorized Vessel means sailboats or vessels that are paddled, poled, or rowed.

Non-Passenger Vehicle (NPV)

A Non-Passenger Vehicle (NPV) is any vehicle which does not meet the definition of a passenger vehicle (SMC 16A.04.100) which includes but is not limited to: any vehicle requiring a commercial safety fee, limousine, any vehicle with over a one ton (thirty-five hundred) rating, vehicle requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate, farm vehicle, motor home, trailer of any type, camper, watercraft, or snowmobile.

Operator

Operator means a person who is in actual physical control or in charge of a vehicle or vessel when it is in use.

Owner

Owner means a person who claims lawful possession of a vehicle or vessel by virtue of legal title or equitable interest therein, which entitles them to such possession.

Paid Parking Zone

Paid Parking Zone is the portion of streets where the parking of vehicles shall be controlled, regulated, and inspected with the aid of devices, herein referred to as parking payment devices. The Paid Parking Zone is bounded and identified on the Paid Parking Zone Map.

Park or Parking

Park or Parking is the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily, for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers. (RCW 46.04.381)

Parking Holidays

Except for parking spaces at Spokane International Airport and Felts Field as authorized by SMC 12.03.0600 and SMC 12.03.0602, or where otherwise indicated by signposting in the area or for individual spaces, parking spaces regulated by a parking payment device may be used without charge during all hours on:

1. Sundays;

2. New Year’s Day;

3. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday;

4. President’s Day – Third Monday in February;

5.  Memorial Day;

6. Juneteenth;

7. Independence Day – July 4^th;

8. Labor Day;

1. Indigenous Peoples’ Day – Second Monday in October;

10. Veteran’s Day – November 11^th;

11. Thanksgiving Day; and

12. Christmas Day.

Where a foregoing holiday falls on a Sunday, the immediately following Monday is observed. On days designated in the foregoing, vehicles shall adhere to posted time limit regulations.

Parking Payment Device

A Parking Payment Device is any device used to accept payment for parking, such as parking meters, pay station kiosks, mobile devices, or other methods approved by the Parking Services Department.

Parking Permit

A Parking Permit is a privilege that allows its holder to access certain parking spaces and locations. Parking Permits may be in the form of a printed pass, decal, or electronic privilege associated with a specific vehicle license plate.

Parking Space

Parking Space is the area on or adjacent to the roadway in which to stop, stand, or park a vehicle that is controlled by a parking payment device designated by lines, curb paint, posted sign, meter decal, or other markings.

Passenger Vehicle

Passenger Vehicle is every motor vehicle, except motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, designed for carrying ten (10) passengers or less and used for the transportation of persons.

Pedestrian Recall

Pedestrian Recall means a “WALK” mode programmed into signal controllers in which the start of the pedestrian green (“WALK”) indication coincides with the start of the green indication for the through movement parallel to the pedestrian movement and is called once per cycle.

Personal Flotation Device

Personal Flotation Device means life preservers, life vests, flotation rings, or buoyant cushions approved by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and designed to float a person in the water.

1. Type I PFDs are designed for rough or remote waters where rescue may take a while. These devices are designed to turn an unconscious person face up in the water.

2. Type II PFDs are designed for calm waters when a quick rescue is likely. These devices may not turn some unconscious persons' face up in the water.

3. Type III PFDs are designed for calm waters when a quick rescue is likely. These devices are not designed for rough waters, as they will not turn most unconscious persons face up in the water.

4. Type IV PFDs are designed to be thrown to a person in the water. They are not designed to be worn.

5. Type V PFDs are designed for special activities such as kayaking and water skiing.

Personal Transportation Device

Personal Transportation Device means bicycles, electric-assist bicycles, foot scooters, motorized foot scooters, skateboards, motorized skateboards, electronic personal assistive transportation devices, and all other similar devices, but excluding motorized wheelchairs, motor-driven cycles, mopeds, and motorcycles.

Personal Watercraft

Personal Watercraft means a Class “A” inboard vessel, as defined by the U.S. Coast Guard, which uses an internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive propulsion and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing or kneeling or being towed behind the product, rather than in the conventional manner of boat operation.

Port

Port is the left side of a vessel while facing forward.

Public Right-of-Way

A Public Right-of-Way is a right-of-way that is dedicated or deeded to the public for public use and under the control of a public agency.

Resident

For purposes of the Downtown Residential Parking District, a Resident means any person residing in a household unit that is located within a Downtown Residential Parking District.

Retail Zone of the Congested District

The Retail Zone of the Congested District is the area established within the Paid Parking Zone bounded and identified on the Paid Parking Zone Map.

Roadway

A Roadway is the portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk or shoulder, even though such sidewalk or shoulder is used by persons riding bicycles. In the event a highway includes two or more separated roadways, the term "roadway" shall refer to any such roadway separately but shall not refer to all such roadways collectively. (RCW 46.04.500)

Safety Buoy

Safety Buoy means a buoy placed to regulate or control vessel speed or operations as required for the safety of the public.

Safety Zone

Safety Zone is the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected or is marked or indicated by painted marks, signs, buttons, standards, or otherwise, so as to be plainly discernible. (RCW 46.04.510)

Sailboat

Sailboat means any vessel propelled primarily by the wind.

Shoreline

Shoreline means any existing waterline.

Ski or Swimming Dock

Ski or Swimming Dock means a manmade platform anchored to the bottom of a body of water.

Stand or Standing

Stand or Standing is the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily, for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers. (RCW 46.04.555)

Starboard

Starboard means the right side of a vessel while facing forward.

Stop or Stopping

Stop or Stopping is any halting, even momentarily, of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic control sign or signal. (RCW 46.04.566)

Street/City Street

City Street/Street is every public highway, or part thereof, located within the limits of cities and towns, except alleys. (RCW 46.04.120)

Taxicab, Cab, or Taxi

Taxicab, Cab, or Tax is a for-hire vehicle held out to the public as providing transportation for passengers and/or articles for compensation and:

1. where the route traveled or destination is controlled by the customer;

2. hat carries signs or indicia of a “taxi,” “taxicab,” or “cab” and is equipped as described in SMC 10.34A.090;

3. where the fare is based on an amount recorded and indicated on a taximeter or by a special contract rate; and

4. where the vehicle is dispatched by radio or cell phone, or the ride is obtained by the use of a street hail.

Temporary No Parking Zone

A Temporary No Parking Zone is:

1. A parking space where an approved temporary no parking zone has been established and designated by temporary sign(s), barricade(s), meter cover(s) or other devices approved by the Parking Services Department.

2. A temporary no parking zone will only become valid and enforceable if the zone has been established with signage for at least 24 hours giving notice that a vehicle will be removed if illegally parked in the zone, and where such vehicle is interfering with the proper and intended use of such zones.

Unauthorized Use

Unauthorized Use means the use of a utility vehicle that is not owned or authorized by the City of Spokane, or the use of a utility vehicle by a person who is not authorized to operate it on public property within the City limits.

Use

Use means to operate, navigate, or employ.

Vehicle

A Vehicle is a device capable of being moved upon a street or alley and in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway. "Vehicle" excludes, except where specifically referenced:

1. A power wheelchair or device other than a bicycle moved by human or animal power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks;

2. A bicycle and a motorized foot scooter;

3. An electric personal assistive mobility device and a motorized foot scooter; and

4. A golf cart.

Vessel

Vessel means any watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water. This definition shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. 1. Rowboats,

1. 2. Sailboats,

1. 3. Motorboats,

1. 4. Canoes,

1. 5. Kayaks,

1. 6. Paddleboards,

1. 7. Flotation Devices,

1. 8. Personal watercraft, and

1. 9. Hovercraft.

Wake Speed

Wake Speed means a slow speed producing a wake not to exceed six inches in height at its apex when reaching any shoreline, dock, or manmade structure on the shoreline, and further not to exceed five miles per hour in any event.

Waterway

Waterway is any water, waterway, lake, river, tributary, canal, lagoon, or connecting waters within the incorporated boundaries of the city of Spokane.