Spokane County, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Appointing authority
- Board of county commissioners
- Requesting agency
- Spokane County sheriff
- Appointment method
- Rotation, contract, or both
- Rescission ground
- Noncompliance with towing/storage rules
- Contractor bidding
- Lowest and best bidder (SCC 46.61.561)
- Abandoned-vehicle threshold
- 15 days unclaimed
Summary
Spokane County only lets the sheriff dispatch a towing operator who has been appointed by the board of county commissioners, whether on a rotational, contractual, or noncontractual basis. Operators must apply, meet county standards for equipment, performance, and pricing, and can be dropped from the list for noncompliance under SCC 46.61.567.
The Spokane County sheriff, under its authority to remove vehicles from the highway, may remove the vehicles directly, through towing operators appointed by the board of county commissioners and called on a rotational or other basis, through contracts with towing operators, or by a combination of these methods. When a removal is to be accomplished through a towing operator on a noncontractual basis, the board of county commissioners may appoint any towing operator for this purpose on the application of the operator. Each appointment shall be contingent upon the submission of an application to the commissioners and the making of subsequent reports in such form and frequency and compliance with such standards and equipment, performance, pricing, and practice as may be required by rule of the board of county commissioners. ... An appointment may be rescinded by the board of county commissioners at the request of the Spokane County sheriffs department on evidence that the appointed towing operator is not complying with the laws or rules relating to the removal and storage of vehicles from the highway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
564 makes it unlawful to operate as a towing operator on a Spokane County highway contrary to the chapter or its rules. 567 sets the actual appointment scheme: the sheriff removes illegally stopped or impounded vehicles either directly, through towing operators appointed by the board of county commissioners on a rotational basis, through contracts, or a combination of methods. An operator seeking noncontractual appointment must submit an application to the commissioners and file subsequent reports, and must comply with equipment, performance, pricing, and practice standards set by board rule.
The board can rescind an appointment at the sheriff's request on evidence the operator is not complying with towing and storage laws or rules, and a rescinded or aggrieved operator may appeal the board's decision. 562 requires the contractor to prove financial responsibility by insurance or surety bond covering damage or loss to impounded vehicles. 112.
Violations & Fines
SCC 46.61.564 makes it unlawful to operate as a towing operator on a Spokane County highway outside this appointment and rules framework. An operator's appointment can be rescinded by the board of county commissioners on the sheriff's request for noncompliance with towing and storage laws or rules, cutting the operator off from county-directed non-consent tows; the operator may appeal that decision. A monthly contractor must file sworn claims for towing charges with the county auditor by the tenth of each month under SCC 46.61.563.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any tow company respond to a Spokane County sheriff's tow request?
How does a towing company get on Spokane County's rotation?
Can the county remove a towing operator from the list?
Who pays to get an impounded vehicle back?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane County
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