Richland, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

RMC § 11.34.020, in Chapter 11.34 (Impound of Vehicles), governs non-consent towing whenever the city has not awarded an exclusive towing contract. The chief of police maintains a list of businesses within the city of Richland that are licensed, properly equipped, and otherwise qualified to tow and store impounded vehicles. Before a business can appear on that list, it must file with the finance director a $10,000 bond, executed by a surety company authorized to do business in Washington, binding the business and its authorized representative to faithfully perform impound and emergency towing when the Richland Police Department directs it; the bond form must be approved by the city attorney, and the surety's sufficiency approved by the city manager and finance director.

The business must also give the finance director evidence that it meets all Washington State towing standards, including those in WAC Chapter 204-91A (a grandfather clause exempts businesses already licensed by the city on the amending ordinance's effective date), plus a valid insurance certificate covering liability for loss or damage to the vehicle and its contents during impound, towing or storage. Once qualified, impounds and emergency tows rotate among the listed businesses in order; if a business at the top of the list cannot be reached or will not accept the job, the police officer moves to the next business on the list until one accepts, then that business is authorized to seize and remove the vehicle to the city pound or another appropriate location for an emergency tow.