The city of Aberdeen has launched a program that limits RVs, trailers and boat trailers from parking on city streets for up to four hours and allows permitted non-residential RV dwellers to safely park their vehicles at a safe location from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
“Some of the neighborhoods in Aberdeen have very narrow streets,” said City Administrator Ruth Clemens. “So having large RVs and trailers parked in those areas creates a number of issues for residents, but we’re hoping this program will help alleviate the problem.”
Residential permits
Aberdeen homeowners or renters may request a temporary parking permit for their recreational vehicles or for visiting RVs or trailers.
Participants can apply for a permit with the city’s Community Development Department on the second floor at City Hall. Temporary parking permits allow up to 48 consecutive hours of parking on city streets provided that no driveways or entrances are blocked, and no clear-vision hazards are created by the location of the vehicle or trailer.
Permits do not allow electrical cords, hoses, awnings, slide-outs or other accessories extending from the vehicles, including grills, open fires or any outdoor equipment used to cook food. Permit holders are also prohibited from removing items from their vehicles and placing them in the city right-of- way. Only one permit will be issued at a time, and homeowners/renters can request no more than four permits a year.
To obtain a parking permit, an Aberdeen resident must provide proof of residency, license plate number of the recreational vehicle receiving the permit, and the address or location where the vehicle will be parked.
Non-resident permits
As part of this program, the city will also issue permits for people who live in their vehicles which allows them to sleep in a safe location at Aberdeen City Hall.
The non-resident permits will be issued by the Aberdeen Police Department. To be eligible for a non-resident parking permit and to use the City Hall location, an individual must be actively engaged with coordinated services and must have proof of the following:
• Valid government issued identification
• Valid vehicle insurance
• Valid vehicle registration
“We consider this program a win-win for both the City and participants,” said Clemens. “The participant has a safe place to park, and by ensuring that they are engaged with coordinated services, the city is shown that the individual is trying to improve their current situation.”
At the time the permit is issued, the driver of the vehicle must disclose all other occupants of the vehicle. The Aberdeen Police Department will conduct a background check on the driver and all persons who occupy the vehicle for outstanding in-state and out-of-state warrants and registered sex offender status.
The Aberdeen Police Department may deny a permit if the background check reveals:
• Any occupant of the vehicle to have an existing or outstanding warrant from any jurisdiction in the United States.
• Any occupant of the vehicle to be a registered sex offender required to register with the Grays Harbor County Sheriff or their county of residence.
To receive a permit, the vehicle must meet all standards and requirements to legally operate on city rights-of-way. The permit will only be valid at the City Hall location for the period indicated on the permit and are not considered to be the same as the residential parking permits.
“This program solves two issues,” said Clemens. “It removes large vehicles from crowding our narrow residential streets, and it gives people somewhere safe to park at night. This program is a good example of compassionate accountability.”
For more information on the Residential Parking Permit, contact Code Enforcement Officer D.J. Cox at 360-537-3250. For information on the Non-Residential Parking Permit, contact the Aberdeen Police Department at 360-533-3180.
