Complaint process
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.214.340
in effect6.214.340 - Complaint process
A. Upon receiving a complaint alleging a possible violation of this Chapter 6.214, the Director shall determine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred. If the Director determines that there are no reasonable grounds to believe that a violation occurred, or that the violation was inadvertent and minor, the Director shall dismiss the complaint. If the Director does so dismiss the complaint, he or she shall do so in writing, setting forth the reasons for the dismissal. If the Director determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred and that the violation was not inadvertent and minor, the Director may do one or more of the following:
1. Issue a notice of complaint to the applicable tow company representative advising such person of the allegation(s) made in the complaint.
2. Require the company to respond in writing to the allegation(s) in the notice of complaint within ten business days of receipt of the notice of complaint, including:
a. Digital photographs to demonstrate that the vehicle as parked was subject to impound, showing: 1) the date and time; 2) the impounded vehicle as parked prior to being hooked to a tow truck; 3) that the vehicle, as parked, was on the property governed by the contract between the private property owner or agent and the tow company; and 4) that appropriate signs were posted pursuant to Chapter 46.55 RCW.
b. A copy of the contract between the tow company and property owner that was in effect at the time of impound;
c. Proof of written authorization with a signature, from the property owner requesting that the vehicle be impounded;
d. A copy of the invoice given to the vehicle owner showing details of all charges made for the private impound and storage; and
e. A written response to the specific allegations made in the complaint.
3. Require the tow company to investigate the allegation(s) in the notice of complaint.
4. Order the tow company to take appropriate action to resolve the complaint if the tow company is adjudicated by a court or determined by the Director to be in violation of this Chapter 6.214. The tow company shall notify the Director of the action taken.
B. For any violation of this Chapter 6.214, the Director may enter into an agreement with the tow company concerning appropriate action to resolve the complaint. For any act deemed unlawful under this Section 6.214.260, the Director may enter into such agreements in lieu of prosecution.
C. The tow company may request a hearing to contest any complaint or order of the Director made pursuant to this Section 6.214.340 by filing a written request for review with the Director, submitted by the person named in the order, within ten business days after the date of the order. Any such complaint or order shall state that the tow company is entitled to a hearing to introduce any evidence to refute or mitigate the allegations relating to the complaint or order. Upon receipt of a written request for review, the Director shall set a hearing date and time to be held as soon as possible and not more than 30 calendar days from the date of the request or the next business day after that if the 30th day falls on a weekend or holiday. The hearing shall be held by the Director or the Director's designee provided that the designee may not be a person who directly supervises the person who issued the complaint or order. The hearing shall be informal, but shall be recorded by electronic means provided by the Director. Within 20 calendar days of the hearing, the Director shall issue a written ruling including factual findings and the Director's conclusion with supporting reasons that affirm, modify or reverse the complaint or order. The decision shall be mailed by first class mail to each affected licensee at the address listed on the application.
D. Failure to respond in writing within ten business days to a notice of complaint or order of the Director shall constitute a waiver of the tow company's right to contest the allegation(s) in the complaint or order.
E. Nothing in this Section 6.214.340 shall be construed to limit the Director's authority to prosecute any criminal or civil action in an appropriate court for any act made unlawful under this Chapter 6.214.
(Ord. 123997, § 4, 2012.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT6BURE_SUBTITLE_IVNELICO_CH6.214TOCOLIRE_6.214.340COPRFetched: 11/1/2026