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Auburn council approves code changes and expansion plan for automated speed cameras
Summary
The Auburn City Council updated city code to allow automated traffic safety cameras to enforce speed limits outside school zones and adopted a study recommending three new camera locations; councilors said a 30‑day warning period will precede enforcement.
The Auburn City Council on July 21 approved changes to city code and adopted a program expansion study to allow automated traffic safety cameras to enforce speed limits outside school zones and to expand the program to three specific locations.
The ordinance (No. 69-83) updates Auburn City Code chapter 10.34/10.42 to align local rules with recent state law changes and authorizes automated speed enforcement at locations that meet state requirements. The council also adopted Resolution 58-47, which affirms that the locations recommended in the city's 2025 program expansion study are consistent with state law and directs the city to proceed with the program study recommendations.
Councilmember Tracy Taylor, who moved the ordinance, said the changes align municipal code with recently updated state law and permit speed enforcement outside school zones where state criteria are met. Councilmember Baldwin noted the city will provide a 30-day warning period before any enforcement citations are issued so drivers in affected areas receive notice.
The expansion study identifies three locations recommended for speed enforcement: eastbound Auburn Way South between the R Street Southeast bridge and the Muckleshoot Plaza intersection; eastbound 15th Street NW between M Street NW and Ron Crockett Drive; and southbound A Street SE between 17th Street SE and 201st Street SE. Baldwin read the three segments aloud during council discussion.
Councilmember Clinton Taylor moved the resolution adopting the study and affirming legal consistency; the motion passed by voice vote. Council members spoke in support of the goal to “reduce and eventually eliminate serious injuries and fatal crashes” through expanded automated enforcement, language included in the resolution.
Discussion versus formal action: council discussion centered on aligning code with state law and the warning period; the formal actions were the adoption of ordinance 69-83 and resolution 58-47. No citations, fines, or enforcement schedules beyond the 30-day warning window were set in the meeting record.
Background: the changes follow a state law update referenced by council staff and are intended to permit automated enforcement at non‑school‑zone locations that meet statutory site-selection criteria. The council did not provide a date when enforcement would begin after the 30‑day warning period, nor was a citation fee schedule discussed or adopted in the session.
What happens next: staff will proceed with implementation steps described in the adopted study and ordinance, consistent with state law and with the advertised warning period prior to active enforcement.
