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Towed from a private lot in Washington: what the law requires
Most private-lot tows in Washington follow one state chapter, RCW 46.55, plus the Department of Licensing's rules. Here is what that law says, in order.
General information, not legal advice. The papers you got from the police, the tow company, the storage lot or a state agency control your dates. Agencies change phone numbers and steps, so check the agency's own page too.
When a parked car can be impounded
On residential property, a car can be impounded right away. On nonresidential property, it can be impounded right away only if the lot is posted with the signs the law requires; on an unposted lot, the car must be left for 24 hours first.
An apartment complex with more than four units counts as nonresidential, so it needs the posted signs for an immediate tow.
Sources: RCW 46.55.010(8), (14); RCW 46.55.080(1)
Signs and the signed authorization
A posted lot needs a sign at each entrance, and on the property, that gives the times towing applies and the name, phone and address of the tow firm. Department of Licensing rules set a minimum sign size of 15 by 24 inches.
The property owner or an agent must give the tow company a signed authorization at the time and place of the impound, before the tow. A tow company or its employee may not sign it for the owner. The form must warn that the person who authorizes an impound that breaks the chapter may be liable for the owner's costs.
Sources: RCW 46.55.070; RCW 46.55.080(2), (3); Chapter 308-61 WAC (WAC 308-61-145)
What the tow company can charge
Fees may not exceed the schedule the company filed with the Department of Licensing, billing is by the hour, and the invoice must be itemized. For a private impound of an upright, undamaged car, the filed hourly and daily storage rates may not exceed 135% of the State Patrol's rates when the company filed, and the after-hours release fee may not exceed the Patrol's.
Seattle has its own lower maximums for private impounds inside the city; see the Seattle library.
Sources: RCW 46.55.063; RCW 46.55.118; WSP Tow & Wrecking page (current Patrol rates)
Notices, belongings and getting the car back
The tow company tells the police right away when it impounds a car, and mails the owners a notice within 24 hours. Belongings in the car are kept and returned on request.
When you redeem the car, the company must give you written notice of your right to a hearing, a hearing request form, the name of whoever authorized the impound, and a copy of the invoice.
Sources: RCW 46.55.100(1); RCW 46.55.110; RCW 46.55.090; RCW 46.55.120(2)(a)
The 10-day hearing and what a court can order
A written request on that form must reach the district court (or the municipal court, for a city's own impounds) within 10 days of the date you got the notice and form, with the filing fee. The court decides whether the impound was proper and whether the charges matched the posted rates.
If the impound broke the chapter, the owner pays no impound, towing or storage fees, and the person who authorized it is liable for them. Even when the impound is upheld, fees are not charged to the person who asked for the hearing if the company had no signed and valid authorization from the property owner.
Sources: RCW 46.55.120(2)(b), (3)
Complaints
Complaints about tow companies go to the Department of Licensing. Private booting is not allowed in Washington.
Sources: DOL: File a complaint; RCW 46.55.300
Check what the tow company had to do
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