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1. Who is responsible for parking enforcement?

Parking enforcement issues fall under the responsibility of our Community Service Officer. For more information, please contact the Police Department at 360-428-3211.

2. Is there a time limit on parking?

The standard parking limit on city streets is 72 hours. This does not apply when otherwise posted (such as the downtown corridor or near the high school) or if a vehicle is parked in the area directly adjacent to its owner’s property (see Municipal code 10.12.010). For more information, please contact the Police Department at 360-428-3211.

3. What about parking a motorhome, boat or trailer on the city street?

Motorhomes, boats and trailers are always limited to 72 hour parking, even if parked adjacent to the owner’s property (see Municipal code 10.12.010). This only applies when parked on city streets/property. If you have a guest coming to visit that will need to stay in your motorhome/trailer/camper you can get a free permit through the City Planning and Building Department. It is unlawful to live in any type of vehicle in the City of Anacortes. For more information, please contact the Police Department at 360-428-3211.

4. What is back-in angle parking?

We now have several areas in our downtown corridor that are back in angle parking only. You may be wondering what exactly is back in angle parking and why do we want it here in Anacortes?

What it is

Back-in angle parking is like regular diagonal parking except that you enter the space by back into it instead of pulling forward into the space.

Why We Want it

1. It creates more parking for both citizens and tourists to utilize.
2. It's safer! When drivers who exit back in parking stalls they have far greater visibility of approaching traffic. Their view is not obstructed by large vehicles, vehicles with tinted windows, and they have a direct line of vision to see approaching bicyclists and pedestrians. It also allows for quicker re-entry into the traffic flow and is easier than parallel parking.
3. It's easier to off loading passengers and cargo from an angled vehicle. Vehicle trunks and tailgates are facing the curb rather than the lane of travel where someone loading a vehicle is at risk of being struck by a passing vehicle. Also, when unloading small children and pets it is safer as the open vehicle door guides them towards the safety of the sidewalk, not towards the street.
4. Studies have shown that vehicle speed is reduced on those streets where there is back in angle parking because motorists are more aware of drivers about to re-enter the lane of travel and drive slower in order to better respond to them.

How to Back in Angle Park

1. Put on your right turn signal as you approach the parking space
2. Don’t make any turns away from or into the spot before reversing, just continue along your normal path of travel, just outside the parking spaces
3. Think of it like parallel parking: pull past the parking space until the rear tires of your vehicle are even with the end of the parking space and then just turn your steering wheel to the right while backing up
4. Use your mirrors to see the parking stripes to center yourself in the space
5. Use the front of your vehicle as a reference for how far to pull back-if you drive a pickup truck or larger vehicle with a lot of overhang, be careful not to pull too far back and block the sidewalk
6. Practice: it only takes a few times to get the hang of it

For more information, please contact the Police Department at 360-428-3211.

5. What can I do about junk/abandoned vehicles on city property?

If a vehicle appears to be abandoned you can contact the 911 center via non emergent phone Number 360-428-3211. At that time an Officer will determine if the vehicle is owned by a resident in the area. If not the vehicle will be tagged for 72 hours at which time Officer Nybo will return to confirm if the vehicle has been removed. Vehicles not removed are subject to impound at owners expense. Any vehicle parked on a city street must be in running condition and have current registration.

6. What can I do about junk/abandoned vehicles on private property?

If the vehicle is on private property it is the responsibility of the property owner to have it removed. Officer Nybo is a certified junk vehicle inspector and can do vehicle inspections when in service Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, please contact the Police Department at 360-428-3211.