Questions about towing in Seattle

How much can a tow company charge for a private-property tow in Seattle?

Inside Seattle, a private impound with a class A, D or E tow truck may cost no more than (from April 20, 2026): $306.88 for the first hour of towing (or any part of it); $54.75 for each 15 minutes after the first hour; $42.98 for each 12 hours of storage, charged to the nearest half day; $100 for an after-hours release; and the $15 City impound fee, itemized separately. An uncompleted tow (hooked up but not yet driven away) costs at most $76.72 per 15 minutes, counted from dispatch to release. The hourly fee must include all ancillary work - winching, dolly service, drive line removal, chains, portable lights, vehicle hookup, tire replacement and standby time - and the labor of one person; no charge for extra labor is allowed. These limits apply only if the vehicle was parked and upright, had all its wheels and tires, had no broken axle, and was not in an accident where it was impounded.

Source: SMC 6.214.220, 6.214.350; FAS maximum private impound fees (effective April 20, 2026) · Checked on October 6, 2026

For a private impound done with a class A, D or E tow truck, the hourly towing rate on the company's filed fee schedule may not exceed 135% of the State Patrol's maximum class A hourly rate, the daily storage rate may not exceed 135% of the State Patrol's maximum daily storage rate, and the after-hours release fee may not exceed 100% of the State Patrol's maximum after-hours release fee. These limits apply only if the vehicle was parked and upright, had all its wheels and tires, had no broken axle, and was not in an accident at the place it was impounded from. They do not apply to police impounds, and a city ordinance on private-impound rates enacted before January 1, 2013 may still apply.

Source: RCW 46.55.118 · Checked on October 6, 2026

What can a storage lot charge for storage in Seattle?

A tow company must file its fee schedule with the Department of Licensing, and no fee may exceed the filed fees. Towing is charged by the hour, and after the first hour to the nearest quarter hour. Storage is charged on a 24-hour basis, to the nearest half day, starting when the vehicle has been unloaded and the paperwork done at the storage lot; unloading and paperwork time may be billed as tow time in 15-minute steps, up to 60 minutes in all. Every invoice given to the person redeeming must be itemized so each fee is clearly discernible, and must show the time of day the vehicle arrived at the storage lot.

Source: RCW 46.55.063(1), (3)-(5); WAC 308-61-135(2) · Checked on October 6, 2026

How long do I have to ask for an impound hearing in Seattle?

Anyone seeking to redeem an impounded vehicle - including one impounded from private property under RCW 46.55.080 - has a right to a hearing in the district or municipal court for the jurisdiction where it was impounded, to contest the validity of the impoundment or the amount of the towing and storage charges. The district court can hear every impound; a municipal court hears impounds authorized by that city's agents. The request must be in writing on the form provided for it and must be received by the court within 10 days of the date the tow company gave the written notice of hearing rights (RCW 46.55.120(2)(a)), and more than five days before the auction. A filing fee equal to the fee for filing a suit in district court is paid when the request is filed. A request the court does not receive within the 10 days waives the hearing, and the registered owner is liable for the towing and storage charges the chapter permits.

Source: RCW 46.55.120(1)(a), (2)(b), (3)(a) · Checked on October 6, 2026

For a vehicle impounded by the City of Seattle because of a parking or traffic citation (and certain other City impounds), the person redeeming it may ask a Seattle Municipal Court judicial officer for a hearing on the impound's validity or the towing, storage and administrative charges. The signed written request, on the court's form, must be received within 10 days - counting Saturdays, Sundays and holidays - of the later of the date the notice was mailed or the date the tow company gave notice at redemption. The court's own page says to mail or return the form no later than 10 days after the vehicle was towed. A late request may be allowed only for good cause beyond your control. A magistrate's decision may be appealed to the Municipal Court within 15 days, with a filing fee.

Source: SMC 11.30.120(D); Seattle Municipal Court, My Car Got Towed · Checked on October 6, 2026

For a tow in King County, file the "Registered Tow Truck Operator Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request" form the tow company gave you with King County District Court within 10 days of the date it provided the form; otherwise the right to an impound hearing is lost. The filing fee is $83 (cash, check, money order, credit or debit card); you can ask the clerk to waive it, by mail or in person. File through the court's e-filing portal, by mail to any King County District Court courthouse (the form and fee must be RECEIVED within the 10 days), or in person at any courthouse Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The court tells you in writing when and where the hearing is, and you can present evidence. For a City of Seattle impound, the hearing is at Seattle Municipal Court instead.

Source: RCW 46.55.120(2)(b); King County District Court, Towed/impounded vehicles; KCDC fee schedule · Checked on October 6, 2026

What are the rules for tow-away signs on private property in Seattle?

Inside Seattle, a tow company may not do a private impound without the driver's consent unless all of these are true: it has a private-impound contract with the property owner; signs are posted as chapter 46.55 RCW requires; the property owner authorized removal of that particular vehicle under RCW 46.55.080; it tows to a secure lot a reasonable distance away; and it has taken digital photographs showing the date and time, the vehicle as parked before it was hooked up, that the vehicle was on the property covered by the contract, and that the signs were posted. A property owner may not authorize such a tow without a towing contract and compliant signs. This does not apply to a vehicle blocking a driveway or garage entrance.

Source: SMC 6.214.230 · Checked on October 6, 2026

No one may impound a vehicle that has been on nonresidential private property (or in a public parking facility) for less than 24 hours unless a sign is posted near each entrance and on the property, clearly visible to everyone who parks there, that clearly shows the times a vehicle may be impounded and the name, telephone number and address of the towing firm where it may be redeemed. Residential property (four or fewer units) needs no sign: the person in charge may have an unauthorized vehicle impounded immediately by giving written authorization.

Source: RCW 46.55.070(1), (2) · Checked on October 6, 2026

Tow-away signs must measure at least 15 by 24 inches, with lettering clearly visible to all who park. Signs for publicly owned or controlled parking facilities must say that unauthorized vehicles will be impounded and give a phone number for redeeming a vehicle; if a tow company is used, they must also meet the private-property sign rules.

Source: WAC 308-61-145 · Checked on October 6, 2026

Where can I file a complaint about a tow in Seattle?

For a car towed from private property in Seattle, the City's Finance and Administrative Services department (FAS) takes complaints about overcharges: Consumer Protection, 206-386-1267, consumerprotection@seattle.gov, by appointment at the Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 Fifth Ave., floor 4. An inspector contacts you; complaints about violations found inadvertent or minor are dismissed in writing. The City can act only on overcharges; DOL handles other complaints, such as damage. Pay to get the car back right away even if you complain: the City cannot pay for its release. On a complaint, the City may require the tow company to send its photos of the car as parked, its contract with the property owner, the signed authorization and the invoice.

Source: SMC 6.214.340; seattle.gov Towing Complaints: Private Property Tows · Checked on October 6, 2026

Police and local licensing agencies that receive complaints about tow companies must forward them to the Department of Licensing. DOL takes complaints about tow truck operators online, by email to dolbpdcomplaints@dol.wa.gov, or by mail to its Centralized Investigations and Audits Unit, PO Box 1098, Olympia, WA 98507-1098, with copies of all related documents and a detailed explanation (dates, others involved, what you already tried, and events in order).

Source: RCW 46.55.170(1); DOL, File a complaint · Checked on October 6, 2026

What forms of payment must the tow company or storage lot accept in Seattle?

The vehicle must be released to a person entitled to redeem it who presents "commercially reasonable tender" enough to cover the towing and storage charges. That includes, without limitation, cash, major bank credit cards, and personal checks drawn on Washington branches of financial institutions with two pieces of valid identification (one may have to have a photo); the company may refuse a check it cannot verify.

Source: RCW 46.55.120(1)(f) · Checked on October 6, 2026

Can I get my belongings out of the towed car in Seattle?

An impounded vehicle must be taken to the nearest storage location that has been inspected and listed with the Department of Licensing. Vehicles and stored belongings must be handled and returned in substantially the same condition as before the tow. For 20 days after the impound, personal belongings must be kept intact and returned to the owner or agent during normal business hours on request with a driver's license or other identification. Anyone with proof of ownership, or written authorization from the registered or legal owner or the insurer, may view the vehicle without charge during normal business hours.

Source: RCW 46.55.090(1)-(3), (5) · Checked on October 6, 2026

When the tow company's office is closed it must post a phone number there for releasing vehicles and personal property, and it must have staff reachable 24 hours a day who can release an impounded vehicle within 60 minutes. Personal property must be released without charge between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, except holidays.

Source: WAC 308-61-125(2), (3) · Checked on October 6, 2026

How do I find out where my car was towed in Seattle?

A car towed from a Seattle street (a police-authorized impound) is with Lincoln Towing, (206) 364-2000, which has an online Seattle impound search by plate or VIN. A car towed from private property is with the company named on the lot's tow signs, or ask the property owner; if you still cannot find it, call the Seattle Police non-emergency number, (206) 625-5011. To get it back you need proof of ownership (registration, title or lease), the plate or VIN, valid photo ID, and a licensed driver; someone else needs the registered owner's notarized statement.

Source: seattle.gov, Find a Towed Car; Redeeming Your Vehicle · Checked on October 6, 2026

What rules apply when a car is booted in Seattle?

A property owner may not immobilize (boot) a vehicle owned by someone else. This does not apply to property owned by the state or a local government, such as a city booting a car for unpaid parking tickets. A violation is a crime. Seattle's code repeats the rule (SMC 11.30.340).

Source: RCW 46.55.300; SMC 11.30.340 · Checked on October 6, 2026