Police seizures—Police holds—Duties and obligations.
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.288.090
in effect6.288.090 - Police seizures—Police holds—Duties and obligations.
A. In addition to retention of property required by this Code, any police officer of The City of Seattle, having probable cause to believe that any used good in the possession of a licensee is lost or stolen, may seize such item at any time. In the event of such a seizure, the used goods dealer shall be entitled to a written receipt for the item from the Seattle Police Department.
B. In lieu of immediate seizure, a police officer may place a verbal "hold" upon the property. Written notice must be given within ten (10) business days and may be accomplished by making an entry upon the permanent record required by Section 6.288.070, indicating that such item is lost or stolen property. If written notice is not received by the used goods dealer within ten (10) business days from the date of the verbal hold the hold order will cease.
C. In response to a hold order, the used goods dealer shall:
1. Tag or otherwise reasonably identify the item;
2. Hold it in a place on the business premises of the used goods dealer to which police officers shall have access at any time during the used goods dealer's regular business hours;
3. Keep the item safe from alteration, loss, damage, or commingling with other goods.
D. No used goods dealer shall dispose of any item subject to a police hold in any manner for one hundred twenty (120) days; provided, that items subject to a police hold shall be surrendered to the Chief of Police upon request, or in compliance with a subpoena signed by the prosecutor, or in compliance with an order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or as directed in a written release signed by the Chief of Police.
E. The used goods dealer shall give a twenty (20) day written notice before the expiration of the one-hundred-twenty (120) day holding period to the Chief of Police about the stolen property. If notice is not given within twenty (20) days, then the hold on the property shall continue for an additional one hundred twenty (120) days. The Chief of Police may renew the holding period for additional one-hundred-twenty (120) day periods as necessary. After receipt of notification from a used goods dealer, if an additional holding period is required, the Chief of Police shall give the used goods dealer written notice, prior to the expiration of the existing hold order. Any hold that is placed on an item will be removed as soon as practicable after the item on hold is determined not to be stolen or lost.
(Ord. 115843, § 7, 1991; Ord. 109818, § 1, 1981.)
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_CH6.288USGODE_6.288.090POSEOLHOUTOBFetched: 11/1/2026