Don't ignore a parking ticket on a private lot

Ever since our 2007 case with Parking Enforcement Services, our office receives questions from drivers concerning whether they can be “ticketed” when they park on private property. The short answer is that they can be fined/requested to pay a fee, provided the parking lot monitor has taken adequate steps to ensure drivers are aware of what happens to unauthorized parkers. Private lot owners and parking monitors can charge people for parking, but they can’t issue lawful citations or suspend driver's licenses.

Phuong Le's article in today’s Seattle P-I helps clear up the confusion.