WSR 26-09-152
EXPEDITED RULES
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
[Filed April 22, 2026, 11:54 a.m.]
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 478-116-335 parking and traffic rules of the University of Washington (UW), Seattle; WAC 478-117-310 parking and traffic rules of the University of Washington, Bothell; and WAC 478-118-410 parking and traffic rules of the University of Washington, Tacoma.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of the proposed rule is to amend it to conform with RCW
28B.10.293, which prohibits institutions of higher education from withholding transcripts or delaying registration as method of debt collection. The current rules allow UW to withhold transcripts or delay registration if a student has outstanding parking citations. UW needs to amend the rule to comply with state law.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: UW needs to amend its rule to comply with RCW
28B.10.293.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW
28B.10.293 Collection of debts
—Conditions and limitations on institutions of higher education.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: UW, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Sylvia James, UW Tacoma, 1900 Commerce Street, Tacoma, WA 98402, 253-692-4668; Cham Kao, UW Bothell, 18115 Campus Way N.E., Bothell, WA 98011, 425-352-3369; and Mark Huppert, UW Seattle, 1320 N.E. Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98105, 206-221-3701.
This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:
Adopts or incorporates by reference without material change federal statutes or regulations, Washington state statutes, rules of other Washington state agencies, shoreline master programs other than those programs governing shorelines of statewide significance, or, as referenced by Washington state law, national consensus codes that generally establish industry standards, if the material adopted or incorporated regulates the same subject matter and conduct as the adopting or incorporating rule.
Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: UW needs to amend its rules to comply with state law, RCW
28B.20.293.
NOTICE
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Barbara Lechtanski, Director, University Policy and Rules Office and Rules Coordinator, UW, Box 351237, Seattle, WA 98195, email rules@uw.edu, BEGINNING May 6, 2026, 8:00 a.m., AND RECEIVED BY June 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
April 21, 2026
Barbara Lechtanski, Director
Policy and Rules Office
and Rules Coordinator
RDS-7136.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 19-11-046, filed 5/10/19, effective 6/10/19)
WAC 478-116-335Payment of citation fines.
(1) All fines must be paid as designated on the citation within ((twenty))20 calendar days from the date of the citation.
(2) Fines for parking citations must be delivered in person to the transportation services' office, paid online, or mailed and postmarked on or before the due date specified in these rules to avoid additional penalties.
(3) Fines for traffic citations associated with violations of this chapter must be delivered in person to the UWPD office, or mailed and postmarked on or before the due date specified in these rules to avoid additional penalties.
(4) If any citation has neither been paid nor appealed after ((twenty))20 calendar days from the date of the citation, the university shall impose an additional fine as specified in WAC 478-116-325 or 478-116-331 and may:
(a) Withhold the violator's degrees, ((transcripts,)) grades, refunds, or credits until all fines are paid;
(b) ((Delay registration for the following quarter;
(c))) Impound or immobilize the violator's vehicle after providing notice of nonpayment to the permit holder and/or registered owner;
(((d)))(c) Deny future transportation product privileges to the violator; or
(((e)))(d) Refer outstanding balances associated with unpaid fines for collection in accordance with applicable statutes and university procedure.
(5) An accumulation of traffic and parking violations by a student may be cause for discipline under the student conduct code of the university (see chapter 478-121 WAC).
(6) In addition to any other penalty which may be imposed as a result of actions described in this chapter, campus parking privileges shall be suspended until all such debts are paid.
RDS-7137.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 19-11-048, filed 5/10/19, effective 6/10/19)
WAC 478-117-310Fines, immobilization, and impounding.
(1) The current schedule of fines shall be published by the institutions and made available for review online and in the campus commuter services office.
(2) All fines are due upon receipt of the citation and must be paid as designated on the citation within ((twenty))20 calendar days from the date of the citation. Fines must be delivered in person to the UW Bothell cashier's office, paid online, or postmarked on or before the due date specified in these rules to avoid additional penalties. If any citation has neither been paid nor appealed after ((twenty))20 calendar days from the date of the citation, the institution shall impose an additional fine of ((ten dollars))$10 per offense and may:
(a) Withhold the violator's degrees, ((transcripts,)) grades, refunds, or credits until all fines are paid((.));
(b) ((Delay registration for the following quarter.
(c))) Impound or immobilize the violator's vehicle((.
(d)));
(c) Deny future parking privileges to the violator((.
(e)));
(d) Refuse to issue keys to a violator who is an employee or student((.
(f))); or
(e) Refer outstanding balances associated with unpaid fines for collection in accordance with applicable statutes and institutional procedure.
(3) In addition to imposing fines, campus safety officers, commuter services employees, or authorized commuter services contractors or agents may immobilize and/or impound any vehicle parked on campus in violation of these rules. Grounds for impounding or immobilizing vehicles shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Blocking a roadway so as to impede the flow of traffic((.));
(b) Blocking a walkway so as to impede the flow of pedestrian traffic((.));
(c) Blocking a fire hydrant or fire lane((.));
(d) Creating a safety hazard((.));
(e) Blocking another legally parked vehicle((.));
(f) Parking in a marked "tow-away" zone((.));
(g) Leaving a vehicle unattended on campus for longer than two days, unless the vehicle has a valid student housing resident permit((.));
(h) Failing to pay a fine(s) imposed under this chapter((.));
(i) Parking a vehicle on campus that has no license plate(s) and no observable vehicle identification number.
(4) Not more than one business day after impoundment or immobilization of any motor vehicle, commuter services shall mail a notice to the registered owner of the vehicle and to any other person who claims the right to possession of the vehicle, if those persons can be identified. Similar notice shall be given to each person who seeks to redeem an immobilized or impounded motor vehicle. If a motor vehicle is redeemed prior to the mailing of the notice, the notice may not be mailed. The notice shall contain the date of immobilization or impoundment, reason for the action, the location of the motor vehicle if impounded, redemption procedures, and an opportunity to contest the immobilization or impoundment as provided in WAC 478-117-320. The institutions shall not be liable for loss or damage of any kind resulting from impounding, immobilization, or storage.
All parking fines, fees, the cost of immobilization and/or impoundment (e.g., booting, towing, and storage fees) must be paid prior to the removal of an immobilization device or the release of an impounded motor vehicle. Impounded motor vehicles shall be redeemed only by the registered owner who has a valid driver's license or a person authorized by the registered owner who has a valid driver's license and who produces proof of authorization and signs a receipt for the motor vehicle. Proof of ownership may be required before a vehicle is released from immobilization or impound.
(5) An accumulation of traffic violations by a student may be cause for discipline under the student conduct code of the student's institution.
RDS-7138.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 19-11-049, filed 5/10/19, effective 6/10/19)
WAC 478-118-410Fines and impounding.
(1) The current schedule of fines shall be published by the university and made available for review in the safety and security office.
(2) All fines must be paid as designated on the citation within ((twenty))20 calendar days from the date of the citation. Fines must be paid or postmarked on or before the due date specified in these rules to avoid additional penalties. If any citation has neither been paid nor appealed after ((twenty))20 calendar days from the date of the citation, the university shall impose an additional fine of ((ten dollars))$10 per offense and may:
(a) Withhold the violator's degrees, ((transcripts,)) grades, refunds, or credits until all fines are paid;
(b) ((Delay registration for the following quarter;
(c))) Impound the violator's vehicle;
(((d)))(c) Deny future parking privileges to the violator; or
(((e)))(d) Refuse to issue keys to a violator who is an employee or student.
(3) In addition to imposing fines, public safety officers may impound or immobilize any vehicle parked on campus in violation of these rules. The expenses of impounding, immobilization, and storage shall be charged to the owner or operator, or both, of the vehicle and must be paid before the vehicle's release. Grounds for impounding or immobilizing vehicles shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Blocking a roadway so as to impede the flow of traffic;
(b) Blocking a walkway so as to impede the flow of pedestrian traffic;
(c) Blocking a fire hydrant or fire lane;
(d) Creating a safety hazard;
(e) Blocking another legally parked vehicle;
(f) Parking in a marked "tow-away" zone;
(g) Leaving a vehicle unattended on campus for longer than two days;
(h) Failing to pay a fine imposed under this chapter;
(i) Vehicle with three or more fines in late or collection status; or
(j) Parking a nonuniversity vehicle in a spot reserved for university use.
Not more than ((twenty-four))24 hours after impoundment of any vehicle (excluding bicycles and skateboards), the university shall mail a notice to the registered owner of the vehicle and to any other person who claims the right to possession of the vehicle, if those persons can be identified. The university shall not be liable for loss or damage of any kind resulting from impounding, immobilization, or storage. Impounding a vehicle does not remove the obligation for any fines associated with the violation.
(4) An accumulation of traffic violations by a student may be cause for discipline under the student conduct code of the university.