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Transportation - Traffic Engineering

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1. I want speed bumps, speed humps, or speed tables on my road.

Yakima County does not have a speed bump installation program in place at this point in time.  Yakima County does not install speed bumps, and will not until such a program is put in place.  Some considerations that will go into such a program include:

• Supermajority support from the neighborhood to either install or remove speed bumps
• Road drainage; water must be removed in a safe manner from the roadway so that it does not puddle and damage the existing pavement
• Road grade; steep roads are not great locations for such installations due to the potential for the devices to become aerial ramps
• Existing speed limits, speed of traffic
• Collision rates on the roadway
• Roadway classification

2. I would like compression brakes (commonly referred to as a "Jacobs brake" or a "Jake brake") to be prohibited on a County road. How do I do that?

Yakima County does not have an ordinance in place against compression brake use, and therefore such signs are not installed along Yakima County roadways.  Some points in favor of compression brakes use:

• Compression brakes are a safety feature and we do not wish to limit or regulate a drivers ability to operate their vehicle as legally configured to operate as safely as possible.
• Medium and Heavy trucks built after 1979 are limited to 83 dBa and after 1988, 80 dBa by Federal regulation. While this isn’t necessarily quiet, it is a reasonable noise level similar to a vacuum cleaner, garbage disposal, or bus. 
• Modern trucks have automatic transmissions and in talking to our County truck drivers we have found they prefer to use compression braking for speed control even more in automatics than when driving a manual transmission truck – especially on a sustained grades.
• Modern trucks have fairly quiet compression brakes. 

Certainly, there are non-complying vehicles in terms of their noise levels.  These non-complying brakes are loud and disruptive, but enforcement is very difficult, requiring direct observation by an officer and the ability to accurately discern whether or not they are in compliance.  Often non-complying brakes are found on older farm trucks.  WAC 173-62-060 specifies enforcement criteria and states the “Measurements shall be made with a sound level meter meeting Type 1, S1A, 2 or S2A requirements as specified in the American National Standards Specifications for Sound Level Meters S1.4-1971 as required under measurement procedures established in chapter 204-56 WAC, "procedures for measuring motor vehicle sound levels." WAC 204-56 was repealed circa 1997/1998. We believe this WAC was repealed because it presented rigorous methodology that was more appropriate in a controlled setting than actual field conditions, and we are unaware of any replacement WAC.  So in order to enforce, Law Enforcement formerly needed special tools and training and effort.  Currently, we are unaware of specifications for level and how to determine it other than reliance on the Federal regulation - CFR 205.54-1,2 - also very rigorous and specialized in terms of measurement.  This is a difficult predicament for law enforcement  for enforcement which is a significant contributor to why the county does not have an ordinance in place.  

WSDOT South Central Region shares similar sentiments about compression brakes, and does not post signs prohibiting their use on state roads, excepting within city limits where they are prohibited, and even then WSDOT only posts these signs when requested by the local agency.

3. I want my road to be striped. It is paved, but there is no paint line. What can I do?

Yakima County maintains a list of all paved, public, non-incorporated roads where striping is done or maintained.  This list is called the "longitudinal pavement marking list."  In order for a road to be added to this list, it must meet the Yakima County Roads Policy established for Longitudinal Pavement Markings.  You can read this policy here.  You can contact the Traffic Engineering Department at (509)574-2300 if you believe that your road meets the criteria but is not currently striped.

4. Can I get a second driveway to my property?

Due to traffic safety concerns, road capacity, and potential conflict points in high traffic areas, Yakima County discourages the practice of multiple driveways. However, exceptions may be considered for lots over 5 acres. Contact Yakima County at 509-574-2300 for more information.

5. Can I plant trees in front of my house?

Yakima County encourages citizens to beautify roadsides in front of their property. However, any objects on County property cannot restrict visibility or pose a crash hazard. Please be aware that the County usually owns the land under the road and for a distance of 20 to 50 feet from the center of the road. For more information regarding setbacks, restrictions, rights-of-way, or other sighting questions, contact Yakima County Public Services at 509-574-2300.

6. How can I get information on subdivision X?

Yakima County Public Services has a variety of records regarding conditions imposed on subdivisions, utilities, roads, etc. For more information, contact Yakima County at 509-574-2300.

7. How do I build my road approach?

Upon the approval of a Road Approach Permit by Yakima County Public Services, the applicant can build their road approach, per County standards, by themselves or contracted vendor. Public Services Page

8. How do I get an address for my property?

Yakima County Ordinance #4-2007 limits one address per approved parcel. Unimproved properties, properties without an approved County road access, non-maintained rights-of-way, and additional buildings built on a parcel after the original structure will not receive its own address.

Multi-building parcels will share a base address with a "unit, suite, etc." identifier per the property owners consultation with their local postmaster and fire district. You can request an address by completing and submitting an address request form or as a component action to your building or project permit (s) process. Address Request Form (PDF)

9. How do I name my road?

In accordance to Yakima County Ordinance 4-2007, private driveways accessing 5 or more residenced properties, new or existing developments with public/private access roads, or existing named roads may be petitioned for a new road name. The applicant(s) must fill out the Road Name Request Form.

Renaming an existing named road (public or private) must be heard before the Board of County Commissioners in a public hearing. Unnamed road applications will be reviewed by the County Address Coordinator and issued the applicant's highest submitted requested name that meets all County road naming criteria. Road Name Request Form (PDF)

10. I have a property that I would like to access to a County road. What do I do?

Property owners can request a Road Approach Permit that provides access between their property and any adjacent County right-of-way. Property owners without adjacent frontage to County right-of-way must seek legal access over neighboring properties to an approved location on County right-of-way. Yakima County will provide access recommendation and approvals on a case-by-case basis.

11. I lost my address plate. Where do I get a new one?

Yakima County will issue 1 address plate upon successful completion of an applicant's building permit process. Replacement plates may be obtained at the owner's expense at National Barricade in Yakima, Washington at 509-453-4461.

12. I need a franchise, and what is it?

Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 36.55.010 to 36.55.080 (in concurrence with WAC 136-40-030 and Yakima County Resolution #172-1993) states "...[the] board of County commissioners may grant franchises to persons or private or municipal corporations to use the right-of-way of County roads in their respective counties for the construction and maintenance of waterworks, gas pipes, telephone, telegraph, and electric light lines, sewers and any other such facilities."

Accordingly, an applicant may submit a Request for Franchise to place a public/private utility or "other such facility" within Yakima County Right-of-Way.

This process, requiring a public hearing preceded by two public newspaper notices, can take up to 4-5 weeks to approve. Work can not begin until the Franchise Application has been approved by the Board of Commissioners.

A Right-of-Way Use Permit or must be completed to approve actual construction work on the applicant’s project. A standard franchise grant can remain in effect up to 25 years (depending on the utility). Forms and Applications

13. I want to get access from my property to a state highway / city street, how do I do that?

Property owners with access issues outside of County rights-of-way (e.g., city streets or state highways) should contact that jurisdiction for their respective practices and policies.

14. I would like to get a petition for a speed limit or stop sign, how do I do that?

Yakima County performs a semi-annual review of county road speed zones and traffic stops. Depending on changes in traffic flow, safety impacts, and other factors, changes will be presented to the County Commissioners through the public hearing process to approve/deny proposed changes.

Suggestions/requests for changes to speed zones or traffic stop signage may be sent to the attention of the Transportation Engineering Manager, Yakima County Public Services. For more information, please call 509-574-2300. Forms and Applications

15. Is this where I get an event permit that involves a County Road (bicycle race, run, etc.)?

Yes. You will need to complete an event permit application and pay the appropriate fees. For more information, please call the Traffic Engineering division at 509-574-2300 between 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Event Permit Application (PDF)

16. I need to move an overweight and/or oversized vehicle, house, manufactured home, or large shed on County roads. Do I need a permit?

Yes.  A permit is required for the movement of all the following, on Yakima County Roads:

• Manufactured Home – for manufactured homes
• Equipment Moving – for heavy equipment/loads such as dozers, large tractors, etc.
• Structures – for large objects house moves, large sheds etc.
• Military – for all military moves

Please review the Special Motor Vehicle Checklist for all requirements. To request a permit, please call Yakima County Public Services 509-574-2300.  

Please submit the completed application to Kendra Dorais, fax 509-574-2301, direct line 509-574-2302

Special Motor Vehicle Checklist (PDF)

17. I'd like to get traffic counts for my road, how do I do that?

Yakima County maintains traffic counts on over 1,600 miles of County roadway. Traffic counts are performed during good weather (usually April to November) on a scheduled "zone" format. This process should insure that no roadway's count data is more than 3 years old. To obtain traffic count information on your road, call Yakima County Public Services at 509-574-2300.

18. My neighbor and I are having a dispute about my access easement. Can you help me?

Land and access disputes between private property owners are a civil matter and cannot be resolved by Yakima County. Yakima County cannot provide legal advice nor recommend legal counsel.

19. My neighbor is blocking an easement, what do I do?

Yakima County can confirm whether a road approach easement to County right-of-way has been approved. However, any easement issues outside of County right of way are a private civil issue. Yakima County cannot provide legal advice nor recommend legal counsel.

20. My project requires me to work within County right-of-way. What do I need to do?

Any private work being performed within Yakima County right of way requires a Right-of-Way Use Permit. In most cases, the applicant or their contractor must provide a Traffic Control Plan that describes appropriate warning signage for motorist and other travelers through the work area.

A utility franchise may also be required. Depending on the issue in question, you may be directed to a specific department staff person to answer your road project question. Technical, engineering, or managerial staff will respond to your inquiry as quickly as possible, contact them at 509-574-2300. Forms and Applications

21. What are the County's development standards?

Current Yakima County development standards, road standards, codes, and ordinances can be found on the Yakima County Standard Plans page.

22. What do I do if I find traffic control, a signal, or other roadside devices inoperable?

If you find a signal light, luminare, or other electrical traffic device inoperative, please contact the Traffic Engineering division at 509-574-2300.