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DuPont council adopts 30‑day street‑standing rule after debate on enforcement and exemptions
Summary
After weeks of discussion and public comment, DuPont’s council approved an ordinance prohibiting parking or standing of vehicles on public rights‑of‑way for more than 30 days; the ordinance allows enforcement discretion and staff said a permit system could be added later.
The DuPont City Council voted on April 28 to adopt DuPont Municipal Code 16.03.0.04, a new local ordinance prohibiting the parking or standing of vehicles on public rights‑of‑way for more than 30 days.
Deputy Mayor Winkler and Council Member Elliot sponsored the proposal, framing it as a tool to address long‑term vehicle storage that does not meet the state’s statutory definition of a junk or nuisance vehicle. "Streets are not meant to be used for long‑term vehicle storage," Deputy Mayor Winkler said while summarizing the rationale and encouraging patience and compassion during implementation.
City Attorney Gordon Card explained legal constraints: state nuisance and junk‑vehicle laws target inoperable or valueless vehicles on private property, so the council framed this measure as a use‑of‑right‑of‑way ordinance. He said the 30‑day window is legally permissible, but implementation requires documented evidence and notice before towing. The police chief told council that officers already track problem vehicles and stressed they exercise discretion and attempt to contact owners, especially military members deployed for service.
Portland Williams, a resident, testified in opposition during public comment, arguing the 30‑day standard could unfairly burden law‑abiding residents who work from home, travel, or have other legitimate reasons to leave a vehicle stationary. "If DuPont wants to address nuisance vehicles, the answer should be a more targeted ordinance focused on actual nuisance conditions," Williams said.
Council debate acknowledged those concerns; several members urged the creation of a permitting process or clearer exceptions for deployments, medical leaves and other circumstances. Attorney Card and staff said a permitting system could be written and added later. Council Member Elliot moved to adopt the ordinance and Council Member Walton seconded. A voice vote was held and the mayor announced the ordinance passed.
The ordinance will take effect according to regular code enactment schedules and staff said the administration will provide public education, notice procedures and operational guidance to the police department before active enforcement. Council members asked staff to return with options for a permitting process and other implementation details.
Action taken: ordinance DMC 16.03.0.04 was adopted by voice vote; documentation in the meeting record shows supporters called the measure reasonable and necessary to protect neighborhood quality of life, while opponents urged more narrowly tailored language or a permit regime.
