Seattle City Council proposes new RV residency and parking regulations

The Seattle City Council has unveiled a six-part legislative package designed to regulate recreational vehicle (RV) residency and manage vehicle-based homelessness. The proposal, developed by Council Member Dan Strauss, aims to establish pathways to housing while implementing strict new parking regulations.

Under the proposed rules, unpermitted vehicles wider than 80 inches would be subject to a two-hour daytime limit and a midnight-to-6 a.m. overnight parking ban. Failure to comply could result in fines or towing. To mitigate these restrictions, the city plans to implement a one-time-only permit program for vehicle owners.

Interim Police Chief Andre Sayles has been tasked with enforcing the new policy, though the current draft legislation provides no additional staff or budget for the Seattle Police Department to manage these duties. Instead, $2 million in funding from the Human Services Department has been earmarked for outreach.

The legislation is scheduled for formal introduction on August 18, with a potential vote by the Public Safety Committee on September 22. While the city has invested approximately $12 million in RV parks to provide sanitation and healthcare services, officials noted during a recent session that no such parks are currently open or providing services.