Guidelines for Public Communication The complete rules for public communication activities are in King County Code Chapter Activities 28.96, which you can find at these places: On Metro , at transit centers, in • www.kingcounty.gov/council/legislation/ the Downtown Transit Tunnel, kc_code.aspx and at other Metro facilities • The County Clerk’s office in the King County Courthouse King County law sets rules for public • Most county libraries communication activities on buses and at If anything in this brochure is inconsistent transit properties. Public communication with the Code, the Code prevails. means sharing messages about political, social, religious or other matters through activities such as: • distributing flyers, brochures, books or other written materials • carrying signs Department of Transportation • public speaking Metro Transit Division King Street Center, KSC-TR-0415 • performing music 201 S. Jackson St. Seattle, WA 98104 This brochure summarizes the rules. 206-553-3000 TTY Relay: 711 www.kingcounty.gov/metro

Alternative Formats Available 206-263-0585 TTY Relay: 711

14043/DOT/comm 4/14 10M Public communication rules

Not allowed • Cannot use parking spaces at passenger Requirements for a letter of Public communication activities are facilities unless you are also using public authorization not allowed on any transit vehicles. transportation. People engaged in public communication activities are required to get a letter of Allowed with limitations • Cannot carry signs at transit facilities that authorization (LOA) for: are of a size or material that could harm Public communication activities are people or property, or are larger than • Any group of more than four people allowed at stops, park-and- 3 feet by 3 feet. Smaller signs that don’t at one place rides, and other passenger facilities, create a hazard are OK. except that people engaged in • Use of a table public communications cannot do • Cannot block any stairway, escalator, the following: elevator, entrance, customer service • Use of a public address system or counter, ticket or automatic teller machine, loudspeaker • Cannot sell printed materials or solicit or other facilities where operations Where to apply for a letter of authorization: funds at bus stops, park-and-rides and are conducted, and may not block any transit centers. King County Metro Transit pedestrian path to those areas. Real Estate and Environmental Planning Office • Cannot hang up any materials at bus 201 S Jackson St. stops, park-and-rides and transit centers. Clean-up Seattle, WA 98104 People engaged in public communication [email protected] • Cannot leave leaflets on vehicles at park- activities are responsible for cleaning up and and-rides. will be liable for any costs of clean-up, repair • You may obtain an LOA in person for and replacement as necessary. same-day use or up to seven days in • Cannot conduct public communication advance of use. activities in parking areas (like those in a park-and-ride) or roadways (like those in King County Metro Transit reserves • Mailed requests must be received at least a transit center). the right to terminate or move 10 days before the intended date of use. public communication activities • Cannot conduct public communication if they are creating a safety or • LOAs are subject to availability and are valid activities on any station platform in security problem or interfering for a specific location, date and time only. the Transit Tunnel. with operations. Activities are allowed at the mezzanines • You should carry the LOA with you while at Westlake, University and Pioneer engaged in public communications. Square stations and at the outside plazas at Convention Place and International District stations.