Hearing Examiner

The hearing exposed procedural complexities in Bellingham's residential permit zone enforcement around Western Washington University. Code Compliance Officer Mays explained that the area uses complaint-based enforcement designed to prevent college student parking in residential areas, with 178 tickets issued on just three blocks since January 2025. The city has transitioned to a hybrid enforcement system combining digital license plate scanning with physical permit stickers. Officers scan every license plate to check for active permits, but stickers must still be properly displayed on the rear bumper or rear window. When discrepancies arise—as happened here when a sticker was present bu…

**Hannah Hurley (Appellant):** Acknowledged mistakes in permit sticker placement and license plate registration updates but argued for leniency given she held a valid, paid permit and was absent during enforcement actions due to vacation. Expressed willingness to pay parking tickets ($60) but contested the significant towing fees ($876.36) as financially catastrophic for an honest mistake. Supported parking enforcement in the area as beneficial to residents. **Stephanie Mays (Code Complian…

**Sharon Rice, on enforcement authority:** "The burden is on the parking individual to know what the regulations are, and then to make sure that they are in compliance with them, even when they've taken steps to comply, they have to be in compliance with all of them." **Stephanie Mays, on equal enforcement:** "We enforce based off of the information that we have available... we can't do one without doing all is really what I have to say there." **Hannah Hurley, on financial impact:** "I wou…

The hearing established administrative precedent for residential permit zone enforcement cases involving license plate registration gaps during vehicle ownership transitions. The record now documents the city's hybrid digital-physical enforcement system and clar…

### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham Hearing Examiner conducted a vehicle impound appeal hearing on May 28, 2025, presided over by contract Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice. The case involved Hannah Hurley contesting the impound of her 2015 Subaru Crosstrek and associated towing/storage fees totaling $876.36 from a residential parking zone violation. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Residential Parking Zone (RPZ):** Special parking areas around Western Washington University designated for residents only, requiring permits to park legally. Designed to prevent college students from taking up residential parking spaces. **Hearing Examiner:** An independent contract attorney who hears appeals of city decisions, including parking violations and impounds. Not a city employee, works on contract to provide impartial hearings. **Burden of Proof:** In impound appeals, the person appealing (appellant) must prove their case - the city doesn't have to prove the impound was valid. **Posted Tow-Away Zone:** An area where vehicles can be impounded immediately without warning tickets, as long as proper signage is posted. **License Plate Scanning:** Modern enforcement method where officers scan license plates to check if vehicles have valid permits, rather than relying solely on visible stickers. **72-Hour Rule:** City ordinance requiring vehicles to move every 72 hours or risk being impounded as abandoned, even with valid permits. **Class A Tow Truck:** Heavy-duty towing vehicle that can charge $400/hour under Washington State Patrol contracts. **Digital Permit System:** New system allowing residents to have valid permits without displaying physical stickers, tracked by license plate numbers. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Sharon Rice | Contract Hearing Examiner | | Hannah Hurley | Appellant (vehicle owner) | | Stephanie Mays | Code …