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Is my car being sold? Lien sales and auctions in Seattle
If a tow company or storage lot keeps a car and the bill is not paid, the car can be sold after the notices and waiting periods the law sets. The notice you get tells you which rules apply and how much time you have.
General information, not legal advice. Check your notice: the dates printed on it are the ones that count. Count calendar days unless the rule says business days.
Where sales happen
| Tow yard or lot | Sale day | Times | Address and phone | List of cars and notes | Sources | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City contractor - Aurora lot Service area North zone (police impounds) | Not published | Times not published. Call the lot. | 12220 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133 (206) 364-2000 | No auction schedule or list of cars is published on the impound site. State law requires a newspaper notice 3 to 10 days before each auction. Sources disagree: The City's Contract #5091 zone map says the contractor has two storage lots in the north zone and two in the south zone; the contractor's site lists three addresses. | Seattle impound site (City contractor); Seattle FAS: Find a Towed Car; RCW 46.55.130 | October 7, 2026 |
| City contractor - First Ave S lot Service area South zone (police impounds) | Not published | Times not published. Call the lot. | 3460 First Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134 (206) 364-2000 | No auction schedule or list of cars is published on the impound site. State law requires a newspaper notice 3 to 10 days before each auction. Sources disagree: The City's Contract #5091 zone map says the contractor has two storage lots in the north zone and two in the south zone; the contractor's site lists three addresses. | Seattle impound site (City contractor); Seattle FAS: Find a Towed Car; RCW 46.55.130 | October 7, 2026 |
| City contractor - First Ave S lot (8425) Service area South zone (police impounds) | Not published | Times not published. Call the lot. | 8425 First Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108 (206) 364-2000 | No auction schedule or list of cars is published on the impound site. State law requires a newspaper notice 3 to 10 days before each auction. Sources disagree: The City's Contract #5091 zone map says the contractor has two storage lots in the north zone and two in the south zone; the contractor's site lists three addresses. | Seattle impound site (City contractor); Seattle FAS: Find a Towed Car; RCW 46.55.130 | October 7, 2026 |
Local notes
- Private-lot tows in Seattle are stored by the company named on the lot's sign; each company runs its own auctions under RCW 46.55.130.
- A hearing request for a City impound goes to Seattle Municipal Court; for a private impound, to King County District Court. A timely request stops the auction until the court decides (WAC 308-61-168).
Washington-wide items (Washington Library)
Last checked .