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History of towing in Tacoma
How towing rules in Tacoma 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.
City impound and vehicle rules (1992 to 2017)
Tacoma adopts state traffic laws by reference in TMC 11.05.050 (Ord. 25208); the state booting ban was later included.
Source: TMC 11.05.050 history
Tacoma adopts its City impound rules, TMC 11.05.700-.706 (Ord. 26346): suspended-license holds, the towing contract, notice, redemption, an administrative hearing and the administrative fee.
Source: TMC 11.05.700-.706 history
The City Council approves Resolution No. 35806, a two-year, $56,000 agreement for citywide towing and storage of City-owned vehicles and private owners' vehicles.
Not yet verified From a search-engine summary of the minutes; the archive page showed a browser check on 2026-10-08 and was not read.
Source: City Council minutes, April 1, 2003 (Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room)
Tacoma adopts its public nuisance vehicle chapter, TMC 8.23 (Ord. 27536), for junk vehicles.
Source: TMC chapter 8.23 history
Tacoma adopts TMC 11.05.231 on living in vehicles on public streets (Ord. 27829), amended in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Source: TMC 11.05.231 history
TMC 11.05.706, which lets the City Manager adopt rules for the impound chapter, is amended (Ord. 27920).
Source: TMC 11.05.706 history
Lien-sale enforcement and current fees (2018 to 2026)
The Attorney General's Office sues a Tacoma tow company for auctioning a deployed sailor's car without a court order.
Nearby city or county
Source: Attorney General news release
A Pierce County Superior Court judge rules the company violated federal and state law and orders restitution.
Nearby city or county
Source: Attorney General news release
The City issues RFP CT22-0354F for towing and storage of City-ordered impounds, tying towing charges to the contractor's State Patrol rate schedule.
Source: RFP CT22-0354F
Pierce County District Court's fee schedule sets the vehicle impound filing fee at $83.
Nearby city or county
Source: Fee schedule
For the rates over the years, see tow and storage rates. Know a record that belongs here? Email corrections@towedhelp.org.
Last checked .