Tri-Cities Residents Face Strict Rules on Street Parking for Disabled Vehicles

Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland enforce laws prohibiting long-term parking of inoperable cars on public streets

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A Pasco resident has been living in a disabled vehicle parked on a public street, raising questions about the local laws governing abandoned or inoperable cars. While the Tri-Cities cities of Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland have slightly different ordinances, they generally prohibit leaving non-running vehicles on streets for extended periods under state vehicle laws.

Why it matters

The presence of disabled vehicles on public streets can pose safety and aesthetic concerns for communities. Local governments aim to balance individual needs with maintaining orderly and accessible public infrastructure through these parking regulations.

The details

According to the report, a disabled vehicle has been parked on a Pasco street for over a week, with a note indicating the owner is living in the car. However, Pasco police have not issued a towing notice, likely due to the unique circumstances. The laws in Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland generally prohibit leaving inoperable, unregistered, or abandoned vehicles on public streets and rights-of-way, with vehicles subject to removal after 72 hours in most cases.

  • The disabled vehicle has been parked on a Pasco street for over a week.

The players

Pasco

A city in Washington state that enforces rules against long-term parking of disabled vehicles on public streets.

Kennewick

A city in Washington state that prohibits storing vehicles on public streets and rights-of-way under its traffic code.

Richland

A city in Washington state that closely follows state law, which generally does not allow broken-down vehicles to be parked on public streets.

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What’s next

The report indicates the author will continue to monitor whether the disabled vehicle in Pasco is moved in the coming week.

The takeaway

The Tri-Cities cities have strict regulations against leaving inoperable vehicles on public streets, though they may make exceptions in certain hardship cases. These laws aim to maintain the safety and appearance of local communities, even as some residents face challenges with vehicle ownership.