Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 46.55 - Towing and Impoundment.
46.55.085 - Law enforcement impound—Unauthorized vehicle in right-of-way.

RCW 46.55.085
Law enforcement impound—Unauthorized vehicle in right-of-way.

(1) A law enforcement officer discovering an unauthorized vehicle left within a highway right-of-way shall attach to the vehicle a readily visible notification sticker. The sticker shall contain the following information:
(a) The date and time the sticker was attached;
(b) The identity of the officer;
(c) A statement that if the vehicle is not removed within twenty-four hours from the time the sticker is attached, the vehicle may be taken into custody and stored at the owner's expense;
(d) A statement that if the vehicle is not redeemed as provided in RCW 46.55.120, the registered owner will have committed the traffic infraction of littering—abandoned vehicle; and
(e) The address and telephone number where additional information may be obtained.
(2) If the vehicle has current Washington registration plates, the officer shall check the records to learn the identity of the last owner of record. The officer or his or her department shall make a reasonable effort to contact the owner by telephone in order to give the owner the information on the notification sticker.
(3) If the vehicle is not removed within twenty-four hours from the time the notification sticker is attached, the law enforcement officer may take custody of the vehicle and provide for the vehicle's removal to a place of safety. A vehicle that does not pose a safety hazard may remain on the roadside for more than twenty-four hours if the owner or operator is unable to remove it from the place where it is located and so notifies law enforcement officials and requests assistance.
(4) For the purposes of this section a place of safety includes the business location of a registered tow truck operator.

[ 2010 c 8 § 9062; 2002 c 279 § 6; 1993 c 121 § 1; 1987 c 311 § 6. Formerly RCW 46.52.170 and 46.52.180.]

Structure Revised Code of Washington

Revised Code of Washington

Title 46 - Motor Vehicles

Chapter 46.55 - Towing and Impoundment.

46.55.010 - Definitions.

46.55.020 - Registration required—Penalty.

46.55.025 - Registration or insurance required—Penalty.

46.55.030 - Application—Contents, bond, insurance, fee, certificate.

46.55.035 - Prohibited acts—Penalty.

46.55.037 - Compensation for private impounds.

46.55.040 - Permit required—Inspections of equipment and facilities.

46.55.050 - Classification of trucks—Marking requirements—Time and place of inspection—Penalty.

46.55.060 - Business location—Requirements.

46.55.063 - Fees, schedules, contracts, invoices.

46.55.065 - License plate indicator tabs—Transporter business—Hulk hauler, scrap processor business—Wrecker business—Fees—Tab requirements.

46.55.070 - Posting requirements—Exception.

46.55.075 - Law enforcement impound—Required form, procedures.

46.55.080 - Law enforcement, authorized regional transit authority representative, other public official impound, private impound—Master log—Certain associations restricted.

46.55.085 - Law enforcement impound—Unauthorized vehicle in right-of-way.

46.55.090 - Storage, return requirements—Vehicles, personal belongings—Combination endorsement for tow truck drivers—Viewing impounded vehicle.

46.55.100 - Impound notice—Abandoned vehicle report—Owner information, liability—Disposition report.

46.55.105 - Responsibility of registered owner—Buyer and seller remedies.

46.55.110 - Notice to legal and registered owners.

46.55.113 - Removal by police officer—Definition.

46.55.115 - State patrol—Appointment of towing operators—Lien for costs—Appeal.

46.55.117 - Impounds under RCW 64.44.050.

46.55.118 - Rate, fee limitations for certain private impounds.

46.55.120 - Redemption of vehicles—Sale of unredeemed property—Improper impoundment.

46.55.125 - Redemption of motorcycle or moped as bailment while owner hospitalized due to accident—Requirements—Declaration form.

46.55.130 - Notice requirements—Public auction—Accumulation of storage charges.

46.55.140 - Operator's lien, deficiency claim, liability.

46.55.150 - Vehicle transaction file.

46.55.160 - Availability of records, equipment, and facilities for audit and inspection.

46.55.170 - Complaints, where forwarded.

46.55.180 - Presiding officer at licensing hearing.

46.55.190 - Rules.

46.55.200 - Penalties for certain acts or omissions.

46.55.210 - Cease and desist order.

46.55.220 - Refusal to issue license, grounds for.

46.55.230 - Junk vehicles—Removal, disposal, sale—Penalties—Cleanup restitution payment.

46.55.240 - Local ordinances—Requirements.

46.55.300 - Vehicle immobilization.

46.55.360 - Impoundment, when required—Law enforcement powers, duties, and liability immunity—Redemption, when, by whom—Operator liability immunity—Definition.

46.55.370 - Law enforcement liability immunity—Reasonable suspicion.

46.55.400 - Transporting abandoned recreational vehicles—Record of delivery—Report—Liability.

46.55.901 - Headings not part of law—1985 c 377.

46.55.902 - Effective date—1985 c 377.

46.55.910 - Chapter not applicable to certain activities of department of transportation.