King County, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Rate filing
- Must file rates with sheriff
- Records
- Impound files kept 3 years
- Basis
- Contracts awarded via sheriff negotiation
- Coverage
- Unincorporated King County only
Summary
King County's sheriff contracts with licensed tow operators to handle vehicle and watercraft impounds, and those towing contractors must file their rates with the sheriff and keep three years of impound records.
Each towing contractor, in addition to fully complying with the standards set by the sheriff, must:
A. File its towing and storage rates with the sheriff;
B. For impoundments authorized under K.C.C. chapter 14A.60, maintain all vehicle and watercraft impound files for three years. (Ord. 18743 § 52, 2018).
14A.60.130 Liability for abandonment of vehicle or automobile hulk – relief upon compliance with RCW 46.12.650.
A. The abandonment of any vehicle or automobile hulk shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the last owner of record is responsible for such abandonment and thus liable for any costs incurred in removing, storing, and disposing of any abandoned vehicle.
B. A registered owner transferring a vehicle shall be relieved from personal liability under this section if the owner complies with the requirements of RCW 46.12.650. (Ord. 18743 § 53, 2018).
Full Breakdown
Under K.C.C. 14A.60.110, the sheriff negotiates and contracts with one or more licensed tow truck operators to tow, store and release vehicles and watercraft impounded by county deputies, at no cost to the county, with service possibly assigned on a rotational basis by area. K.C.C. 14A.60.120 then binds every contracted towing company to file its towing and storage rates with the sheriff and retain all vehicle and watercraft impound files for three years. This applies only to sheriff-authorized impounds in unincorporated King County.
Violations & Fines
The sheriff enforces these terms through the towing contract itself rather than a separate fine schedule; a contractor that won't file rates or keep three-year impound records risks losing its spot in the sheriff's rotation and its authorization to perform county impounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does King County issue its own towing company license?
Does this cover a tow from a Seattle parking lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
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