Burien, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Contract administrators
- King County sheriff's office and city manager
- Cost to city and county
- None; contracts at no cost
- Rate filing
- Towing and storage rates filed with the sheriff's office
- Record retention
- Vehicle transaction files kept for three years
- Owner notice deadline
- Mailed within 24 hours of impoundment
- Administrative fee
- $100.00 paid to the city before redemption
- Unclaimed vehicle sale
- Public auction after 15 days from mailing of notice
Summary
In the City of Burien, Washington, BMC §§ 10.12.100 and 10.12.110 govern towing contractors who handle police-ordered impounds. The King County sheriff's office and the city manager run the contracts at no cost to the city or county, operators recover charges only from the person redeeming the vehicle or from auction proceeds, and each contractor must file its rates and keep transaction files for three years.
The King County sheriff’s office and the city manager and/or designees are authorized and directed to enter into appropriate agreements and to promulgate rules and regulations to provide for the fair and efficient administration of any contract(s) awarded to registered tow truck operators pursuant to this chapter. Such contracts shall be at no cost to the county and the city and shall provide that the tow truck operator may recover the costs of towing and storage only from the person seeking to redeem the impounded vehicle, or from the proceeds of sale of an unclaimed vehicle pursuant to RCW 46.55.130, and that the county and city shall not be responsible for payment of such costs except upon order of the administrative hearing officer pursuant to BMC 10.12.080. ... Each towing contractor, in addition to fully complying with the standards set by the King County sheriff’s office, must: (1) File its towing and storage rates with the King County sheriff’s office; and (2) Maintain all vehicle transaction files for three years.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 10.12 BMC, Vehicle Impoundment, is the City of Burien's towing framework in King County, Washington. Under BMC 10.12.010, King County and the King County sheriff's office act as the city's agent for impoundments, and under BMC 10.12.040 a towing contractor impounds a vehicle at the request of a police officer, who must provide a signed authorization before the contractor proceeds. BMC 10.12.100 directs the sheriff's office and the city manager to enter into agreements with registered tow truck operators at no cost to the county and the city.
The operator recovers towing and storage costs only from the person seeking to redeem the vehicle, or from sale proceeds of an unclaimed vehicle under RCW 46.55.130. Under BMC 10.12.110, each towing contractor must file its towing and storage rates with the King County sheriff's office and maintain all vehicle transaction files for three years. BMC 10.12.050 requires the operator to mail the owner a notice within 24 hours of impoundment with the firm's name, address and telephone number. BMC 10.12.060 sets a $100.00 administrative fee payable to the city before redemption.
A redeeming person must show a valid driver's license and insurance under BMC 10.12.070 and pay the operator's costs. An owner has 10 days to request a post-impoundment hearing in writing. An impounded vehicle not redeemed within 15 days of mailing of the notice is sold at public auction under BMC 10.12.090, and the contractor's charges are limited to the contract rates.
Violations & Fines
If a hearing officer finds the removal, towing or storage fees improper, BMC 10.12.080(5) makes the tow truck operator liable to the county for the overpayment plus interest at the rate of 12 percent per year, payable no later than 60 days after notice. The county can sue the operator in King County district court to recover it. BMC 1.15.080 separately makes violation of any code regulation unlawful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who sets tow rates for police impounds in Burien?
Who pays the tow bill when Burien impounds a vehicle?
How do I contest a tow in Burien?
What records must a Burien towing contractor keep?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burien
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Towing Companies in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle towing companies.