Consumer Affairs

City of Seattle Private Impound Regulation

**Important Notice**
This is the wrong city webpage to assist you, if your vehicle was impounded by the Seattle Police Department.

Please leave this webpage and redirect to the "Seattle Police Department Impound Agreement" web page for information to assist you with a SPD impounded vehicle.

City of Seattle Private Impound Regulation (con't)

Private impounded vehicles are vehicles that have not been impounded by a law enforcement agency.

Notification of New Private Impound Legislation

The City of Seattle’s revision to SMC 6.214 Tow Company Licenses and Regulationsrequires tow company licensing, establishes maximum impound fees and creates a new process to resolve complaints regarding unwarranted or excessive fees.  A general overview of the major changes is provided below. 

Licensing

• A business license is required to operate a business within Seattle city limits. This city business license can be purchased online at www.seattle.gov/self or in person at the Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 – 5th Ave, Suite 4250, Seattle, WA  98124.  The annual fee is $90.
• A tow company license is also required to conduct a business as a tow company within Seattle city limits not later than March 1, 2013.  A completed license application form, other required documents (listed at SMC 6.214.290) and the $500 annual fee can be mailed to the Consumer Affairs Unit, 805 South Dearborn Street, Seattle, WA.  98124.  If you would like to submit a tow company application in person, you must schedule an appointment with Inspector Laura Beck (206) 386-1084.   The tow company license expires on December 31 (SMC 6.214.270) but the annual Seattle tow company license fee is not prorated. 

Maximum Charges for Private Impounds
Effective January 1, 2013 (SMC 6.214.260, 6.214.220), the following maximum fees apply to private impounds conducted within Seattle city limits:

• The maximum hourly towing service fee a for a private impound is $183  for the first hour and $130.60 for the second and subsequent  hours for tows conducted with Class A, D, or E tow trucks.
• The maximum storage fee for a private impound is $15.50 for each 12-hour increment.
• The maximum after-hours release fee is $100.
• No other fees are authorized for private impounds.

Reports and Recordkeeping

• Tow companies must submit a daily report by 12 a.m. (midnight) M-F to the Seattle Police Department Auto Records fax: 206-684-8355 listing all private impounds that are redeemed.  This is in addition to the impound notification required by RCW 46.55.100.
• Tow companies are required to store complete records which include: private impound contracts, signed authorizations, digital photos, and invoices. Tow companies will be required to submit these records for complaint investigations and periodic audits (SMC 6.214.250, 6.214.340).

Collection of New City Impound Fee

• A new City impound fee ($15) must be collected for each redeemed private impound vehicle. The new rule,  R-6.214.350 “City Impound Fee", becomes effective April 1, 2013.  The City impound fee must be itemized as a separate charge on the receipt of each redeemed vehicle.  Retail sales tax is not collected on the City Impound Fee.
• Each quarter, tow companies must remit all City impound fees collected for redeemed private impounds. The City of Seattle will send quarterly invoices to the tow companies.  

If you have additional questions, please contact Inspector Laura Beck at (206) 386-1084 laura.beck@seattle.gov or me at (206) 386-1296 craig.leisy@seattle.gov .

Information

We welcome your comments. If you have a specific question you would like answered, please send us E-Mail at: seattle.consumer-affairs@seattle.gov

Laws & Regulations

Private Impound Fee Complaints Please Call

Complaint Information

Forms

Tow Company Business Questions & Answers

Consumer Questions & Answers

Current City of Seattle Licensed Private Impound Tow Companies