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Your rights after a tow in Washington

Washington law sets rules for towing from private property, such as apartment complexes and store lots. One set of maximum rates applies across the state. Here is what the law says, in plain English.

Maximum charges in Washington

Washington has no flat dollar cap. A tow company's filed hourly tow rate and daily storage rate may each be no more than 135% of the State Patrol's rates for the same service (RCW 46.55.118). Tows are billed by the hour. The cap applies when the car was parked, upright, with all wheels and no accident.

The rates below may have changed since this schedule was published. Check the official source before relying on them.

Rates the cap is based on
Charge	Rate
State Patrol hourly tow rate, Class A and E (the cap is 135% of this)	$297.00
State Patrol daily storage rate (the cap is 135% of this)	$75.00

See the official rates (opens in a new tab).

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Tow-away signs

On non-residential private property (stores, office lots), a car can be towed right away only if a sign is posted near each entrance and in a clearly visible spot on the property. Without a proper sign, a car there generally cannot be towed until it has been left 24 hours. RCW 46.55.070(1); RCW 46.55.010(14)(b) (opens in a new tab)
The sign must state the times a car may be towed and give the tow company's name, phone number and address. State rules require it to be at least 15 by 24 inches with lettering clearly visible to everyone who parks. RCW 46.55.070(1); WAC 308-61-145(1) (opens in a new tab)
Signs are not required on residential property such as apartment lots. The person in charge of the property can have an unauthorized car towed immediately once they give written authorization. RCW 46.55.070(2) (opens in a new tab)

Who must approve the tow

The property owner or their agent must sign a written tow authorization at the time and place of the tow before the driver may proceed. The tow company and its employees cannot sign for the owner or pick which cars to tow on their own. RCW 46.55.080(2) (opens in a new tab)
Every private tow authorization must warn that the person authorizing the tow can be held liable for the vehicle owner's costs if the tow violated the law. RCW 46.55.080(3) (opens in a new tab)
A property owner may not immobilize (boot) a car owned by someone else; doing so is a gross misdemeanor. This does not apply to state or local government property. RCW 46.55.300 (opens in a new tab)

Where your car goes and who is told

Washington sets no mileage limit. The car must be taken to the nearest storage location that the state has inspected and that is listed on the tow company's license application. RCW 46.55.090(1) (opens in a new tab)
The tow company must notify local law enforcement by phone or radio at the time of the tow, and follow up in writing within 24 hours. Call the police non-emergency line to find a car that was towed privately. RCW 46.55.100(1) (opens in a new tab)
Within 24 hours the tow company must mail a notice to the registered and legal owners. It must give the tow firm's name, address and phone, the location and time of the tow, who authorized it, and your right to redeem and ask for a hearing. RCW 46.55.110(1) (opens in a new tab)
Washington's tow law has no rule letting you take the car back, or setting a reduced fee, if you return while it is being hooked up. Ask the driver anyway, and get any charge in writing. RCW 46.55 (no such provision found) (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

The registered or legal owner, someone with the owner's written permission, the owner's insurer, or a buyer holding proof of ownership can redeem the car. Family members or drivers with the owner's permission may also qualify if the tow company verifies it. RCW 46.55.120(1)(a) (opens in a new tab)
The tow company must accept cash, major bank credit cards, or an in-state personal check backed by two IDs. It may refuse a check it cannot verify. RCW 46.55.120(1)(f) (opens in a new tab)
Normal business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Outside those hours the lot must post a phone number for releasing vehicles. WAC 308-61-125(1)-(2) (opens in a new tab)
Tow companies must keep staff reachable 24 hours a day who can release an impounded car within 60 minutes. WAC 308-61-125(2) (opens in a new tab)
Personal belongings must be returned on request with a driver's license or other ID for 20 days after the tow, and personal property must be released without charge from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. You can ask the company to store belongings for 30 days by signing a storage request form. RCW 46.55.090(3); WAC 308-61-125(3) (opens in a new tab)
With proof of ownership or written permission from the owner or insurer, you may view the impounded car free during business hours. The car and belongings must come back in substantially the same condition as when towed. RCW 46.55.090(2), (5) (opens in a new tab)
Photograph the car and write any damage on your paperwork before leaving, because the law requires the car to be returned in substantially the same condition. Washington has no rule that bars the company from asking for a damage waiver, so read what you sign. RCW 46.55.090(2) (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

For cars towed by Class A, D or E trucks, the hourly tow rate and daily storage rate on a company's filed schedule cannot exceed 135 percent of the State Patrol's matching rates. A city rule adopted before 2013 can set its own caps. RCW 46.55.118(1), (5) (opens in a new tab)
Each tow company files its fee schedule with the Department of Licensing and cannot charge more than the filed fees. Your invoice must itemize each fee. RCW 46.55.063(1), (5) (opens in a new tab)
Tow charges are hourly, rounded to the nearest quarter hour after the first hour. Storage is charged per 24 hours, to the nearest half day, from when the car is unloaded at the storage lot. RCW 46.55.063(3)-(4) (opens in a new tab)

Contesting the tow

You can ask the district or municipal court of the area where the car was towed for a hearing on whether the tow was valid and whether the charges were right. The request must be in writing on the company's form, reach the court within 10 days of when you were given the notice, and arrive more than 5 days before any auction, with a filing fee. RCW 46.55.120(2) (opens in a new tab)
If the court finds the tow violated the law, you owe no tow or storage fees and the person who authorized the tow pays them. You can also get your filing fee back plus damages for loss of use of the car. The court cannot reduce fees that match the posted rates. RCW 46.55.120(3)(c), (e) (opens in a new tab)
If you paid by credit card, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. For billing errors, your written dispute generally must reach the issuer within 60 days of the first bill showing the charge. Whether a tow charge qualifies is up to the issuer. Fair Credit Billing Act (FTC guidance) (opens in a new tab)

If the car is not claimed

A car held 120 consecutive hours counts as abandoned, and the company then reports it to the state. It must mail a notice of custody and sale to the owners within 24 hours of getting their information from the state. RCW 46.55.010(1); RCW 46.55.110(3) (opens in a new tab)
If the car is still unclaimed 15 days after that notice was mailed, it can be sold at public auction. The sale must be advertised 3 to 10 days ahead, and you can redeem the car any time before the auction starts by paying the fees. If you filed a timely hearing request, the company cannot sell the car until the court rules. RCW 46.55.120(4); RCW 46.55.130(1); WAC 308-61-168(1) (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Washington Department of Licensing (tow truck operator complaints). DOL can investigate registered tow truck operators and reprimand, fine, suspend or revoke them, but it cannot recover money or award damages. File online, by email to dolbpdcomplaints@dol.wa.gov, or by mail to Centralized Investigations and Audits Unit, PO Box 1098, Olympia, WA 98507-1098; phone 360-664-6484. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Washington State Patrol Tow and Wrecking Program. WSP does not investigate private-property impounds such as apartment or retail lots; it sends those complaints to DOL. It handles complaints about WSP-ordered impounds and tow truck equipment (TowWreckingComplaint@wsp.wa.gov). File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
District or municipal court impound hearing. The legal route to contest the tow or its charges; the written request must reach the court within 10 days of receiving the notice of your right to a hearing.

Washington small claims court handles money-only claims up to $10,000 when brought by an individual, and $5,000 for other claimants such as businesses.

Check your tow

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-17. These are the laws and official pages this page is based on.