Vancouver council adopts updated commute-trip-reduction ordinance

The Vancouver City Council on May 5 adopted an ordinance updating the city’s commute trip reduction plan and amending Vancouver Municipal Code chapter 18.12, voting to approve consent items 1 through 6.

Councilors said the ordinance implements the city’s adopted 2025 Vancouver Commute Trip Reduction plan and includes standard severability and an effective-date provision. The mayor read the ordinance into the record and a motion to approve items 1 through 6 was made and seconded; the council voted all aye and the motion passed.

The ordinance was presented under authority cited in the meeting as Vancouver Municipal Code chapter 18.12 and by reference to the Growth Management Act and the Washington Clean Air Act. Council members confirmed they did not wish to pull any items from the consent package before voting. The motion to approve items 1–6 was moved by Councilor Sarah Fox and seconded by Councilor Harless, and the mayor called the vote; the record shows the motion passed with all voting aye.

Councilors noted no additional debate on the consent items. The council vote on the ordinance was final at the meeting; the ordinance text as read states it provides for severability and an effective date but the meeting record does not state the exact effective date beyond what appears in the ordinance language.

The action affects employers and commute programs addressed in the city’s commute trip reduction plan; further implementation steps and any employer-level requirements will be carried out under the adopted plan and subsequent staff procedures.