Click here to fight your Washington traffic ticket.

Fire hydrant parking tickets are some of Washington State’s most frustrating tickets. Many people park where they think is a suitable distance from the nearest fire hydrant just to come back and find out they’ve been issued a ticket or had their car towed anyway. This article is designed to equip you with all of the information you’ll need to reduce the odds of this happening to you.

What Are the Fire Hydrant Laws in Washington?

The Washington Administrative Code (WAC), specifically WAC 132N-156-550, prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant in Washington State. This law also prohibits stopping or placing a vehicle in one of those locations, unless you meet one of the few accepted legal exceptions (detailed in the next section of this article).

Any security or law enforcement personnel can issue a ticket for somebody who violates this law. However, stopping next to a fire hydrant is less likely to result in a ticket than parking next to one is. The majority of these tickets are issued to drivers who park their vehicles within 15 feet of a hydrant and subsequently leave them there unattended.

Are There Any Exceptions to the Laws?

The state government outlines three exceptions to its fire hydrant parking restrictions.

The first exception applies when the vehicle is actively being attended to. If the driver remains in the driver seat and the vehicle remains on and capable of immediately leaving the area when asked, you might be able to avoid getting a ticket.

The second exception applies when local laws, road signs, markings, etc. detail a different distance. For example, if a city’s local government passes a rule to limit parking next to fire hydrants to no less than 10 feet, rather than 15 feet, the local rule takes precedence. Any distances below 10 feet must be marked by signs, markings, or similar things.

The third exception applies to firefighters and their work vehicles. If you are a firefighter driving a vehicle that is clearly marked and owned by the fire department (not a personal vehicle), then you cannot receive a parking ticket for parking too closely to a fire hydrant.

When Are the Hydrant Laws in Effect?

Fire hydrant laws in Washington State are always in effect. There are no state-mandated downtimes, releases, etc. for these restrictions and so there is never a time when you should park next to a fire hydrant. That is, unless you meet one of the aforementioned three exceptions.

What Is the Cost of a Fire Hydrant Ticket in Washington?

Fire hydrant parking tickets in Washington State can cost you around $80 on average—but that’s just the fine amount. It’s possible that the state can apply additional fees or surcharges depending on the specific circumstances surrounding your conviction. It’s also possible that your vehicle could be damaged in the course of an emergency firefighter response, in which case you might have to pay additional costs for repairs.

Why Are Hydrant Tickets So Strict?

These laws are so strict because of the damage that can occur if they’re not followed. If a fire erupts, firefighters will need efficient and immediate access to the nearest fire hydrants in order to fight it. If there are vehicles in the way, those vehicles can slow down that access. While firefighters struggle to connect hoses to the fire hydrant through the wall of cars, people’s homes could be burning to the ground.

Since it can be nearly impossible to predict when a fire will occur, these laws must prohibit all parking near fire hydrants at any point in time anywhere.

Can You Park by a Broken Hydrant?

It’s possible that you can find a legal parking space right next to a broken fire hydrant and be just fine. But it’s also possible that doing so will still get you a ticket. This gray area is a constant source of frustration and financial loss for many drivers in and around Washington State’s biggest cities.

Here are a couple rules to live by:

• Just because a hydrant appears broken doesn’t mean that it actually is.
• Even when a hydrant is broken, the state might not have it registered as out of commission.

Can I Get My Fire Hydrant Ticket Reduced or Dismissed?

The most efficient way to have your fire hydrant parking ticket fine reduced or dismissed is to contest it in court. To do so, plead not guilty to the violation and schedule a court date. Next, gather the necessary documentation, research case law, and prepare to argue against expert prosecutors or state government officials—or take the easy route and just hire a lawyer.

What To Bring to Court When Fighting Your Ticket

The three most important things to bring with you to court when contesting a parking ticket are evidence, the original ticket, and an argument letter. Of course, you and your lawyer will probably come up with other things to bring to court as well, which can help your case. But bringing the wrong thing to court can actively hinder your case, so be sure to consult with your lawyer before deviating from these three items.

Evidence

Evidence is the crux of any legal case. Without “clear and convincing” evidence, your case won’t have any leg to stand on. Witness testimony, photos, and videos are all great examples of evidence in a civil case. Just keep in mind that you don’t need to prove your innocence. You just need to prove that the state’s evidence for the charges against you are not supported by clear and convincing evidence.

The Original Ticket

Bring the original ticket (and maybe a few copies of it) with you when you go to court. This will help keep you focused during the court case, streamline your defense, and (if necessary) pay the ticket immediately after losing your case.

An Argument Letter

An argument letter is a written document detailing the arguments used in your case. The best argument letters supplement rather than replace your oral argument, which should be delivered in tandem with the argument letter.

Do not simply read your argument letter in court. Rather, ask to have it submitted to the court so that it can be added to your case file. Doing so can help increase the odds of a successful appeal, if it goes that route.

Hiring an Attorney To Fight Your Ticket Through appwinit.com

Washington State courtrooms can be an intimidating and frustrating environment—but you don’t have to go alone. With the WinIt app (or www.appwinit.com), you can access a treasure trove of safe and affordable legal assistance from expert parking ticket attorneys with years of experience getting people just like you out of situations just like these. So why pay $80 in fines when you could potentially take your case to court and win it with WinIt?