King County’s idling policy

King County employees shall not cause or permit vehicles covered by this policy to idle for more than three minutes in a 60-minute period, except as allowed under policy exemptions.

Vehicles covered by this policy

Non-revenue vehicles and off-road equipment in all King County Executive agencies. This includes:

• Department of Assessments
• King County Sheriff’s Office
• The departments and administrative offices that report to the King County Executive

Policy exemptions

A vehicle may idle:

• In highway traffic
• When yielding to emergency vehicles
• At an official traffic signal or sign
• At the direction of a law enforcement official
• To prevent a safety or health emergency
• While in emergency or training mode
• For maintenance, servicing, repairing, or diagnostic purposes
• As part of a state or federal inspection
• A non-revenue passenger bus may idle a maximum of 10 minutes in any 60-minute period to maintain passenger comfort while non-driving passengers are on board
• A vehicle may idle due to mechanical difficulties over which the driver has no control

Other provisions in the policy

• Drive within the speed limit
• Avoid sudden stops and quick acceleration
• Check tire pressure monthly
• Keep vehicles well maintained

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