City of Bellingham Hearing Examiner

The hearing centered on the distinction between immediate towing in residential permit zones versus standard abandoned vehicle procedures. Officer Mays explained that Jersey Street has been designated as a residential permit parking zone with tow-away enforcement for multiple years, clearly marked with appropriate signage. In such zones, vehicles without proper permits are subject to immediate impoundment without the 72-hour waiting period that applies to abandoned vehicles on unrestricted streets. The enforcement approach followed an escalation pattern designed to educate violators before implementing towing. After receiving the first complaint on January 14, officers conducted enforcement on January 16 and issued 10 tickets. A follow-up visit on January 22 resulted in 10 additional tickets. When a third complaint arrived on January 27, staff scheduled coordinated …

**City of Bellingham (Stephanie Mays):** Supported the validity of both the impound and fees. Emphasized that Jersey Street has been properly signed as a residential permit zone for years, that progressive enforcement was used before implementing towing, and that the vehicle parked directly in front of a tow-away sign while enforcement was actively occurring. Clarified the legal distinction between permit zone enforcement and abandoned vehicle procedures. **Heston Hauling (Chris Heston):** Defended the fee structure as entirely controlled by Washington State regulations. Explained that current regulated rates, while seeming high, are actually lower than historical unregulated fees and follow consumer price index calcu…

**Stephanie Mays, on the distinction between permit zones and abandoned vehicles:** "Any street in the city of Bellingham that is not marked with specific signage as like a Towaway zone, or a residential zone, or a loading zone, etc. Any of those vehicles do have to sit for 72 h. but it depends on where they're at what the signage is and the location." **Caleb Barville, on the financial impact:** "We are both college students under the age of 25. And that fee that fine for yeah. What in essen…

**Appeal Process Initiated:** A formal challenge to city vehicle impound procedures and fee structure was filed and heard, testing the boundaries of residential permit zone enforcement. **Clarification of City Policy:** Official testimony established the legal distinction between immediate towing in permit zones versus 72-hour waiting periods for abandoned vehicles, potentially resolving public co…

### Meeting Overview City of Bellingham Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice conducted a vehicle impound appeal hearing on February 12, 2025. College student Paige Yearton challenged both the validity of her car being towed from Jersey Street and the $819 towing and storage fees charged by the city's contracted towing company. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Hearing Examiner:** An independent attorney who works on contract for the city to hear appeals of administrative decisions. Sharon Rice serves in this role and has jurisdiction to overturn or uphold city parking enforcement actions. **Residential Permit Zone (RPZ):** A designated area where only residents with permits or visitor passes can park. Jersey Street has a two-block residential permit zone that has been established for multiple years. **Tow Away Zone:** A parking area where vehicles can be immediately impounded if they violate parking regulations. Unlike other violations that may require 72-hour notice, tow away zones allow immediate removal. **State-Approved Towing Rates:** Regulated fees that towing companies must charge for impounded vehicles, set by Washington State Patrol and based on the consumer price index. These rates prevent price gouging but can still result in high costs. **Burden of Proof:** In this appeal, the appellant (Paige Yearton) must prove that the impound and fees were inconsistent with city regulations. The hearing examiner cannot reduce fees just because they seem excessive. **After Hours Release Fee:** An additional charge when vehicle owners retrieve their cars outside normal business hours, requiring staff to come in specially. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Sharon Rice | City of Bellingham Hearing Examiner (contract attorney) | | Stephanie Mays | Parking Code Compliance Officer 2, City of Bellingham | | Chris Heston | Owner, Heston Hauling and Heston Towing | | Caleb Barville | Appellant's representative, WWU student, neighborhood resident | | Paige Yearton | Vehicle owner, college student | | Christy Bowker | Hearing Clerk (mentioned, not present) | ### Background Context The Jersey Street residential permit zone exists because of parking pressure …