Sammamish residents might soon find parking on public streets to be a little bit more of a challenge.

The City Council unanimously passed a new parking ordinance Tuesday night, putting limitations on where and how long vehicles can park within the city.

The ordinance was approved 6-0, with mayor Tom Odell not present.

Among several new rules, vehicles are now limited to parking on public streets for 72 hours. Violators will be subject being labeled as abandoned vehicles under the Revised Code of Washington, which will result the vehicle being tagged and towed if it is not removed within 24 hours after it is marked.

Neal West, who lives on East Lake Sammamish Parkway, commended the council for its

its vote, saying a 35-foot motorhome with a blue tarp covering it was parked in his neighborhood for five months. It was recently removed, but replaced by a van that is now for sale.

“This is a beautiful city,” West said. “My wife and I have lived here for eight years now. We truly appreciate it. It seems a shame that we would have our city streets full-time service parking lots for those who don’t have room for their own toys or their vehicles they’re looking to sell.”

The ordinance also prohibits vehicles from parking within five-feet of any individual mailbox between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The previous time restraints were from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Collective mailboxes now carry a 24-hour, seven-day a week parking ban within five feet. The council debated on increasing the distance to 10 feet on either side, but settled on the state standard.

“People are coming through at all hours and it really does make a difference,” said Councilman Tom Vance, who lives in a neighborhood with collective mailboxes.

Drivers are also now prohibited from parking in any lane marked as a bike lane — something most surrounding cities already require.

“(Bike lanes) are in significant locations around the city and it’s mostly on arterials and collector streets that the council has designated for bike lanes,” Public Works Director Laura Philpot said.

Under the new ordinance, unlicensed vehicles are also now prohibited from being parked in the public right of way.

In other action:

• Deputy mayor John James declared May to be Art Education Month in Sammamish, alongside Sammamish Arts Commission chairwoman Daphne Robinson. “It increases connections and engagement between teachers and students and the connected community that surrounds them,” Robinson said.

• The council continued to discuss the amendment of home business definitions and standards within Sammamish. Topics of discussion included general retail sales, retail sales requiring state approval (guns and alcohol), appointment hours, amount of floor area allowed and more. The council will continue to talk about better defining compatibility between home businesses and surrounding neighborhoods at the May 14 meeting.
• The council continued to discuss the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan — a plan that must be updated every six years to maintain eligibility for state grants.