Bike Parking Regulations for Seattle, WA
Seattle, Washington, has a comprehensive set of bike parking regulations designed to encourage cycling as a primary mode of transportation. These regulations are governed by the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) 23.54.015 and are further clarified through the SDCI Director’s Rule 6-2020 & SDOT Director’s Rule 1-2020, which outline the application of development standards for both short-term and long-term bicycle parking.
General Bike Parking Requirements
- Minimum Spaces: Seattle requires bike parking based on the type of land use and square footage. Residential, commercial, and institutional developments must provide bicycle parking proportional to the size and use of the building.
- Rounding Up: Calculations for required long-term and short-term bicycle parking are rounded up to the nearest whole number for long-term parking and to the nearest even number for short-term parking.
Short-Term and Long-Term Bicycle Parking Requirements
Short-Term Bicycle Parking (Less than 4 hours)
- Short-term parking is designed for visitors, customers, and those making brief stops.
- Location: Must be within 50 feet of the main building entrance. In cases where this is not feasible, directional signage must be provided to help cyclists locate the parking area.
Long-Term Bicycle Parking (More than 4 hours)
- Long-term parking is intended for residents, employees, and commuters who need secure, weather-protected facilities.
- Location: Long-term parking should be located on-site and within 600 feet of the building it serves. It is typically placed in secured bike rooms or cages.
Design Standards for Short-Term and Long-Term Bicycle Parking
Design Standards for Short-Term Bike Parking
- Parking spaces should be visible, convenient, and located in well-lit areas.
- Racks must provide two points of contact to stabilize the bicycle and allow locking of both the frame and one wheel.
- Sidewalk racks and on-street bicycle corrals are commonly used for short-term parking.
Design Standards for Long-Term Bike Parking
- Long-term parking must be enclosed or protected from weather, such as in a bike room or with lockers.
- Security features, such as locked enclosures or monitored parking areas, are required to prevent theft.
- Spaces must allow for larger, non-standard bicycles (e.g., cargo or e-bikes), and at least 5% of spaces in larger facilities should accommodate these types of bikes.
- Design Standards for Bicycle Parking Facilities
- Horizontal racks: Minimum of 6 feet long by 2 feet wide, with 40 inches in height.
- Vertical racks: Must have a minimum clearance of 7 feet in height and 2 feet in width.
- Bicycle lockers: Must be at least 6 feet long and 4 feet high for single lockers, with 2.5 feet of width for double lockers.
Table of Required Bicycle Parking Spaces by Facility Type
| Facility Type | Short-Term Spaces | Long-Term Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Residential (multifamily) | 1 space per 20 units | 1 space per unit |
| Office | 1 space per 10,000 sq. ft. | 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. |
| Sales & Services, Genera | 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. | 1 space per 4,000 sq. ft. |
| Restaurants | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. | 1 space per 5,000 sq. ft. |
| Schools (K-12) | 1 spaces per classroom | 3 spaces per classroom |
| Industrial | 1 space per 20,000 sq. ft. | 1 space per 4,000 sq. ft. |
The above information represents a partial list of the facility types and their bike parking requirements for Seattle, WA. Please refer to the links below for more detailed information.
Showers and Personal Lockers
Structures containing 100,000 square feet or more of office use floor area shall include shower facilities and clothing storage areas for bicycle commuters. Two showers shall be required for every 100,000 square feet of office use. They shall be available in a manner that results in equal shower access for all users. The facilities shall be for the use of the employees and occupants of the building and shall be located where they are easily accessible to bicycle parking facilities, which may include in places accessible by elevator from the bicycle parking location.
Regional or Neighborhood-Specific Requirements
In Seattle’s downtown core and certain neighborhoods, the city may adjust bike parking requirements based on local transportation needs. For example, high-traffic areas such as the downtown zone might have different short-term parking allowances or shared bike parking facilities that serve multiple businesses. Moreover, public bike racks in the right-of-way may also fulfill the need for short-term bike parking in some cases.
Official Sources
Seattle Bicycle Parking Guidelines
