RCW ch. 46.19 — Revised Code of Washington Chapter 46.19 RCW — Special Parking Privileges For Persons With Disabilities

RCW 46.19.010 Criteria for natural persons (as amended by 2025 c 295). (Effective until October 1, 2035.) (1) A natural person who has a disability that meets one of the following criteria may apply for special parking privileges: (a) Cannot walk ((two hundred RCW 46.19.020 Eligible organizations—Rules. (1) The following organizations may apply for special parking privileges: (a) Public transportation authorities; (b) Nursing homes licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW; (c) Assisted living facilities licensed under chapter 18.20 RCW; (d) Senior citizen centers; (e) Accessible van rental companies registered with the department; (f) Private nonprofit corporations organized under chapter 24.03A RCW; (g) Cabulance companies that regularly transport persons with disabilities who have been determined eligible for special parking privileges under this section and who are registered with the department under chapter 46.72 RCW; and (h) Companies that dispatch taxicab vehicles under chapter 81.72 RCW or vehicles for hire under chapter 46.72 RCW, for such vehicles that are equipped with wheelchair accessible lifts or ramps for the transport of persons with disabilities and that are regularly dispatched and used in the transport of such persons. However, qualifying vehicles under this subsection (1)(h) may utilize special parking privileges only while in service. For the purposes of this subsection (1)(h), "in service" means while in the process of picking up, transporting, or discharging a passenger. (2) An organization that qualifies for special parking privileges may receive, upon application, special license plates or parking placards, or both, for persons with disabilities as defined by the department. (3) An organization that qualifies for special parking privileges under subsection (1) of this section and receives parking placards or special license plates under subsection (2) of this section is responsible for ensuring that the parking placards and special license plates are not used improperly and is responsible for all fines and penalties for improper use. (4) The department shall adopt rules to determine organization eligibility. [ 2021 c 176 s 5227; 2017 c 151 s 1; 2015 c 228 s 37; 2014 c 124 s 3; 2012 c 10 s 42; 2010 c 161 s 702.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 46.19.030 Display and design of placards, license plates, and year tabs. (1) The department shall design special license plates for persons with disabilities, parking placards, and year tabs displaying the international symbol of access. (2) Special license plates for persons with disabilities must be displayed on the motor vehicle as standard issue license plates as described in RCW 46.16A.200. (3) Parking placards must include both a serial number and the expiration date on the face of the placard. The expiration date and serial number must be of a sufficient size as to be easily visible from a distance of ten feet from where the placard is displayed. (4) Parking placards must be displayed when the motor vehicle is parked by suspending it from the rearview mirror. In the absence of a rearview mirror, the parking placard must be displayed on the dashboard. The parking placard must be displayed in a manner that allows for the entire placard to be viewed through the vehicle windshield. (5) Special year tabs for persons with disabilities must be displayed on license plates or metal tags issued pursuant to RCW 46.09.442, in a manner as defined by the department. (6) Persons who have been issued special license plates for persons with disabilities, parking placards, or special license plates with a special year tab for persons with disabilities may park in places reserved for persons with physical disabilities. [ 2016 c 84 s 5; 2014 c 124 s 4; 2010 c 161 s 704.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 46.19.040 Renewal—Rules—Report. (Effective until October 1, 2035.) (1) Parking privileges for persons with disabilities must be renewed at least every five years, as required by the director, by satisfactory proof of the right to continued use of the privileges. Satisfactory proof must include a signed written authorization from a health care practitioner as required in RCW 46.19.010(3) or proof that the applicant satisfies the criteria of RCW 46.19.010(1)(k). Parking privileges for qualifying veterans issued pursuant to RCW 46.19.010(1)(k) or renewed under this subsection, between October 1, 2030, and October 1, 2035, are valid for the entire five-year period. (2) The department shall match and purge its database of parking permits issued to persons with disabilities with available death record information at least every 12 months. (3) The department shall adopt rules to administer the parking privileges for persons with disabilities program, including any documentation or materials required for a veteran to satisfy the criteria under RCW 46.19.010(1)(k). (4) The department shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature the number of veterans who qualify and apply for special parking privileges under RCW 46.19.010(1)(k) and receive an identification card and parking placards, special license plates, or tabs as described under RCW 46.19.080 (3) or (4) by December 31, 2026, and by December 31, 2034. [ 2025 c 295 s 3; 2014 c 124 s 5; 2010 c 161 s 703.] NOTES: Expiration date— RCW 46.19.050 Restrictions—Prohibitions—Violations—Penalties. (1) False information. RCW 46.19.060 Special license plates for persons with disabilities, special license plates with a special year tab for persons with disabilities—Fees—Renewal—Transfer. (1) An additional fee may not be charged for special license plates for persons with disabilities except for any other fees and taxes required to be paid upon registration of a motor vehicle. (2) A registered owner who qualifies for special parking privileges as described in RCW 46.19.010 may apply to the department for special license plates for persons with disabilities or special license plates with a special year tab for persons with disabilities. Special license plates with a special year tab for persons with disabilities are available on any special license plate created under chapter 46.18 RCW, except the collector vehicle, horseless carriage, and ride share special license plates. (3) A registered owner who chooses to purchase special license plates as described in subsection (2) of this section shall pay the applicable special license plate fee, in addition to any other fees or taxes required for registering a motor vehicle. (4) Special license plates for persons with disabilities or special license plates with a special year tab for persons with disabilities must be renewed in the same manner and at the time required for the renewal of standard motor vehicle license plates under chapter 46.16A RCW. (5) Special license plates for persons with disabilities or special license plates with a special year tab for persons with disabilities may be transferred from one motor vehicle to another motor vehicle owned by the person with the parking privilege upon application to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director. (6) Special license plates for persons with disabilities or special license plates with a special year tab for persons with disabilities must be removed from the motor vehicle when the person with disabilities transfers or assigns his or her interest in the motor vehicle. [ 2012 c 71 s 1; 2011 c 171 s 75; 2010 c 161 s 705.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 46.19.070 Special plate or card issued by another jurisdiction. A special license plate or card issued by another state or country that indicates that an occupant of a vehicle has disabilities entitles the vehicle on or in which it is displayed and being used to transport the person with disabilities to lawfully park in a parking place reserved for persons with physical disabilities pursuant to chapter 70.92 RCW. [ 2010 c 161 s 707; 2005 c 390 s 4; 1991 c 339 s 22; 1984 c 51 s 1. Formerly RCW 46.16.390.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 46.19.080 Special parking privileges for persons with disabilities—Application—Temporary placard—Identification card. (Expires October 1, 2035.) (1) The application for special parking privileges for persons with disabilities must contain: (a) The following statement immediately below the physician's, advanced registered nurse practitioner's, or physician assistant's signature: "A parking permit for a person with disabilities may be issued only for a medical necessity that severely affects mobility or involves acute sensitivity to light (RCW 46.19.010). An applicant or health care practitioner who knowingly provides false information on this application is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. The penalty is up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 or both. In addition, the health care practitioner may be subject to sanctions under chapter 18.130 RCW, the Uniform Disciplinary Act"; and (b) Other information as required by the department. (2) A natural person who has a disability described in RCW 46.19.010(1) and is expected to improve within 12 months may be issued a temporary placard for a period not to exceed 12 months. If the disability exists after 12 months, a new temporary placard must be issued upon receipt of a new application with certification from the person's physician as prescribed in RCW 46.19.010(3) and subsection (1) of this section. Special license plates for persons with disabilities may not be issued to a person with a temporary disability. (3) A natural person or veteran who qualifies for special parking privileges under this section must receive an identification card showing the name and date of birth of the person to whom the parking privilege has been issued and the serial number of the placard. (4) A natural person or veteran who qualifies for permanent special parking privileges under RCW 46.19.010 may receive one of the following: (a) Up to two parking placards; (b) One set of special license plates for persons with disabilities if the person with the disability is the registered owner of the vehicle on which the license plates will be displayed; (c) One parking placard and one set of special license plates for persons with disabilities if the person with the disability is the registered owner of the vehicle on which the license plates will be displayed; or (d) One special parking year tab for persons with disabilities and one parking placard. (5) Parking placards and identification cards described in this section must be issued free of charge. (6) The parking placard and identification card must be immediately returned to the department upon the placard holder's death. (7) This section expires October 1, 2035. [ 2025 c 295 s 2.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 46.19.090 Blue envelope program. (1) The department, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall develop a blue envelope program for operators and passengers of motor vehicles with a disability or condition that could impact the way they interact with law enforcement during a traffic stop. The blue envelope developed as part of the program must contain the following: (a) Printed information for the envelope's holder regarding traffic stop safety tips; (b) Printed recommendations for the responding law enforcement officer with interaction techniques applicable to those who are neurodiverse to help promote enhanced communication and accommodation between law enforcement officers and community members; and (c) Printed information on the envelope explaining that documents related to the qualified individual's vehicle including, but not limited to, vehicle registration documents and proof of insurance, should be enclosed within the envelope. (2) The blue envelope program must allow a qualified individual to obtain, at no cost, a blue envelope from any driver licensing office within the state. (3) The department must maintain on an existing web page or website clear, accessible program information and resources regarding the blue envelope program. (4) For purposes of this section, a person who is "neurodiverse" is an individual with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, developmental prosopagnosia, developmental speech disorders, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysnomia, intellectual disability, obsessive–compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, sensory processing disorder, synesthesia, Tourette syndrome, or a related or similar condition. (5) The department is authorized to apply for, receive, and accept grants and donations including services from public and private entities for the purpose and intent of this section. [ 2026 c 90 s 2.] NOTES: Finding—