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Seattle Police Department
Impound Towing Agreements

Fact Sheet No. 8

The Consumer Affairs Unit administers the police impound contracts for the City of Seattle. This work includes oversight of response times, audits of records, inspection of storage lots, investigation of complaints, authorization of tow releases, administrative hearings on police impounds of certain vehicles, and collection of administrative fees. Towing contractors bid for exclusive rights in six zones to impound vehicles in response to police requests. Impounds are normally requested for certain parking violations, abandoned vehicles, investigative holds, and stolen recoveries. Towing charges and storage charges are fixed in the contract but may vary from year to year and between zones. The City assesses an administrative fee on each impound that is released in order to help fund administration of this contract.

Registered owners may request a hearing on whether the police impound was proper or whether the towing contractor charges were proper at Seattle Municipal Court (for vehicles that have been issued parking citations) or request an administrative hearing by the Consumer Affairs Unit (all other police impounds - e.g., investigative holds, stolen recoveries). If successful, the registered owner may file a claim for reimbursement with the City Clerk's Office (City Hall, 3rd Floor).

References
  • Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 11.30, "Impounding"
  • Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 46.55, "Abandoned, Unauthorized, and Junk Vehicles - Tow Truck Operators"
  • Washington Administrative Code Chapter 308-61, "Unauthorized and Abandoned Vehicles"

Information

VEHICLE QUESTIONS:

SPD Auto Records
684-5444

IMPOUND COMPLAINTS:

Consumer Affairs
386-1298

DWLS INFORMATION/APPEALS:

SPD DWLS Office
615-0753

UNTICKETED IMPOUNDS:
(ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS)

Consumer Affairs
386-1298

 

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