Unlawful Acts
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.214.260
in effect6.214.260 - Unlawful Acts
As of January 1, 2013, it is unlawful for any tow company, tow truck driver, or any agent of a tow company to:
A. Misdemeanors
1. Demand or collect for towing service in excess of the maximum rates specified in Section 6.214.220.
2. Demand or collect for towing service in excess of time spent providing the towing service or for services not rendered.
3. In the case of an uncompleted tow, fail to release a vehicle when a person shows reasonable proof of ownership or authorization to operate the vehicle and provides payment of the fee allowed under Section 6.214.220.B. The tow truck driver must provide an itemized receipt in accordance with Section 6.214.240.
B. Civil Infractions
1. Require any vehicle owner or operator to make any statement or sign any document promising not to dispute the validity of the tow or fees assessed or relieving the tower from responsibility for the condition of the vehicle or its contents.
2. Fail to release a vehicle pursuant to RCW 46.55.120 to any person authorized to redeem a vehicle under that section.
3. Remove a vehicle from any location unless:
a. The conditions of Section 6.214.230 are met;
b. Requested to so remove by a police officer or appropriate governmental official acting in his/her official capacity; or
c. The vehicle's registered owner, or the owner's authorized agent, engages the operator's service.
4. Block or otherwise interfere with the removal of a vehicle by a person properly claiming such vehicle.
5. Be beneficially interested in a contract, agreement, or understanding that may be made by or between a person having control or possession of private property and any agent of such person where the agent has been granted authority to sign an impound authorization.
6. Have a financial, equitable, or ownership interest in a firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation whose functions include acting as an agent or a representative of a property owner for the purpose of signing impound authorizations.
7. Enter into any contract or agreement or offer any program that provides an incentive to a person authorized to order a private impound to authorize an impound or number of impounds.
8. Go to the site of a vehicle accident for purposes of soliciting or procuring towing service business unless called by the owner of a vehicle, the rightful occupier of property from which a vehicle is to be removed, or a police officer.
9. Fail to provide a receipt with all charges itemized as specified in Section 6.214.240.
10. Fail to comply with record requirements as specified in Section 6.214.250.
C. Each violation of subsection 6.214.260.A shall be a misdemeanor and upon conviction punishable by a civil fine or forfeiture not to exceed $1,000, or by incarceration for a term not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and incarceration, provided, however, that for each violation of subsection 6.214.260.A, restitution shall be mandatory.
D. Each violation of subsection 6.214.260B shall be a Class 1 civil infraction under Chapter 7.80 RCW.
(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_6.214.260UNACFetched: 11/1/2026