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Yakima amends long-term parking permit rules; council adopts ordinance 7–0
Summary
The council voted unanimously to amend Yakima Municipal Code section 9.50.22 to clarify payment periods, allow the city manager limited discretion to issue additional permits and add revocation language for permit misuse.
The Yakima City Council voted unanimously at its April 2025 study session to adopt changes to the long-term parking permit ordinance (YMC 9.50.22), clarifying permit term language, adding a limited city-manager discretion to issue permits above a numerical cap and establishing clearer grounds for suspension or revocation.
City attorney Sherry Watkins presented the draft amendments, saying the changes include explicit language that permits are sold on annual, semiannual or quarterly bases, a scheduling clarification so partial-period purchases are aligned with calendar quarters, and new language (subsection 13 in the draft) that allows the city to suspend or revoke a permit when an applicant provides inaccurate information or uses a permit on an unregistered vehicle. Watkins said the revocation language is intended to make enforcement clear to applicants.
The council debated a narrow refund question: Watkins proposed that revocation or suspension result in no refund; council members discussed whether the city should return any full unused months; Watkins said the city could change the draft if council wanted to authorize refunds of any full unused months.
Vote and context Deputy Mayor Ann Brown moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilmember Janice Decio seconded. The roll-call vote was 7–0 in favor; the ordinance passed.
Why it matters: the amendments are procedural and interpretive rather than an expansion of parking policy. City staff said the changes are intended to streamline administration and improve clarity for applicants and enforcement staff.
Ending Council members characterized the changes as housekeeping and clarity improvements; staff said they will update the online application form and administrative processes to reflect the ordinance amendments.
