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History of towing in Spokane
How towing rules in Spokane took shape: ordinances, contracts, court rulings and state laws, in date order. Every entry links to its source.
How to read this timeline. Entries are in date order. Most rest on a court opinion, a law or a government record. Entries marked "Not yet verified" rest on one secondary or self-reported source, and entries marked "From a news report" rest on news coverage. We leave out private people's names and accusations against companies that have no published outcome.
County rules and a City rotation policy (1978 to 2014)
Spokane County adopts its impound rules for county roads (Resolution 78-1347), now Spokane County Code 46.61.550-.567.
Nearby city or county
More than 30 cars are towed from Browne's Addition to clear streets for snowplows, after windshield notices; the impound fee is about $100.
From a news report The paper reports the tows happened the Wednesday before publication.
The County amends those rules (Resolution 02-0402).
Nearby city or county
The City's airport impound section, SMC 12.03.0612, takes effect.
Source: SMC 12.03.0612
The City's tow rotation policy first takes effect (now ADMIN 0680-25-01).
Parking enforcement starts booting vehicles on the scofflaw list; the City counts 2,778 owners and 27,785 unpaid tickets. At the time, owners had 48 hours to pay before a tow.
Source: City news story
The City's own towing chapter, SMC 16.55, which mirrored state law, is repealed.
Not yet verified The repeal date is not shown on the code page; the sort date is a placeholder.
Source: SMC chapter 16.55 (repealed)
New scofflaw and notice rules (2021 to 2025)
A rewritten SMC 16A.07.060 takes effect: public impounds follow RCW 46.55, and scofflaw vehicles are booted and then impounded if not paid within 2 business days.
Source: SMC 16A.07.060
Spokane Police order 11 cars with long-expired registration towed from one neighborhood after complaints, under the state rule allowing impound once registration has been expired more than 45 days.
From a news report The tow date is the Wednesday before the story.
Source: KXLY, Feb. 16, 2023; RCW 46.55.113(2)(j)
SMC 16A.07.080 (ORD C36400) sets the 24-hour notice before parking and junk-vehicle impounds.
Source: SMC 16A.07.080
The rotation policy is revised: public rates at or below State Patrol rates, and overcharging as grounds for suspension or revocation.
The City Council amends and extends a towing contract to restart abandoned-RV removal after a six-month pause.
For the rates over the years, see tow and storage rates. Know a record that belongs here? Email corrections@towedhelp.org.
Last checked .