Seattle council to vote on overriding Wilson’s RV permit veto Thursday

A showdown is brewing between Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and the Seattle City Council over RV parking, with a veto override vote scheduled for Thursday.

Wilson vetoed Council Bill 121283, which would have created a permit program for motorhomes and travel trailers. She cited concerns about the program’s cost, legal risks, staffing and enforcement requirements, and whether it could increase unsheltered homelessness.

Wilson said she vetoed the measure to give the council a chance to consider another approach. Her executive order directs city departments to strengthen outreach to people living in RVs, identify barriers to housing, and review the city’s response to RV-related public safety and neighborhood concerns. A working group is to make recommendations within 60 days, with any proposed legislation due to the council by March 31, 2027.

The order also directs the Human Services Department to use 2026 funding to support Glass Yard Commons, a planned RV safe lot in West Seattle, and to connect vehicle residents with safe lots, shelter, and services. The city will also create a by-name list to better understand residents’ needs.

Council members split over RV permit veto ahead of override vote

Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss, who sponsored the permit legislation, accused Wilson of breaking a promise not to veto it.

Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka said, “Seattle needs both support for people living in vehicles and enforceable rules to protect neighborhoods.”

Meanwhile, Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck supported the veto, questioning whether the city could adequately staff and enforce the program.

“I think we’re actually set up on a better path to do much better policy and programming as it relates to living in RVs, so as we know at City Hall anything can happen, so we’ll see what Thursday holds, but at this time I have every reason to believe that the veto will be upheld,” Rinck said.

Wilson signed four other ordinances in the council’s RV legislative package, including one expanding the city’s authority to open safe parking lots and storage sites.

The council’s Thursday vote will test whether enough members support overriding Wilson’s veto. A two-thirds majority is required.

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