QuestionWhat are the laws pertaining to towing a vehicle from a rented home? If I am renting a home and have a car parked on the property, can the "property owner" have the car towed without permission of the car owner or renter? If you could give me the Washington State law pertaining to this I would appreciate it. Thank you, Kim
AnswerWell, there are a few issues here which should be addressed.
First of all the property owner has the right to have vehicles removed if he feels that they are illegally parked, junk or abandoned vehicles or if its just either an eyesore or health hazard...
The permission part of the question, well it goes back to the reason for the tow. If it was "classified" as junk, there is a procedure for it and several rules and regulations which it falls under..
If it was illegally parked (example shared driveway and blocking) then it goes to another set of laws and regulations...
If it was left there after someone had moved then it would be an abandoned vehicle and another set of rules comes into play...
Washington RCW's cover towing issues and laws, and while I know you would like an answer to your question, you have way to many variables for me to provide a "correct answer" here on the board.
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This is just one of the laws regarding towing of abandoned vehicles in Washington.
RCW 46.55.010
Definitions.
The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter:
(1) "Abandoned vehicle" means a vehicle that a registered tow truck operator has impounded and held in the operator's possession for one hundred twenty consecutive hours.
(2) "Immobilize" means the use of a locking wheel boot that, when attached to the wheel of a vehicle, prevents the vehicle from moving without damage to the tire to which the locking wheel boot is attached.
(3) "Abandoned vehicle report" means the document prescribed by the state that the towing operator forwards to the department after a vehicle has become abandoned.
(4) "Impound" means to take and hold a vehicle in legal custody. There are two types of impounds -- public and private.
(a) "Public impound" means that the vehicle has been impounded at the direction of a law enforcement officer or by a public official having jurisdiction over the public property upon which the vehicle was located.
(b) "Private impound" means that the vehicle has been impounded at the direction of a person having control or possession of the private property upon which the vehicle was located.
(5) "Junk vehicle" means a vehicle certified under RCW 46.55.230 as meeting at least three of the following requirements:
(a) Is three years old or older;
(b) Is extensively damaged, such damage including but not limited to any of the following: A broken window or windshield, or missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission;
(c) Is apparently inoperable;
(d) Has an approximate fair market value equal only to the approximate value of the scrap in it.
(6) "Master log" means the document or an electronic facsimile prescribed by the department and the Washington state patrol in which an operator records transactions involving impounded vehicles.
(7) "Registered tow truck operator" or "operator" means any person who engages in the impounding, transporting, or storage of unauthorized vehicles or the disposal of abandoned vehicles.
(8) "Residential property" means property that has no more than four living units located on it.
(9) "Suspended license impound" means an impound ordered under RCW 46.55.113 because the operator was arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342 or 46.20.345.
(10) "Tow truck" means a motor vehicle that is equipped for and used in the business of towing vehicles with equipment as approved by the state patrol.
(11) "Tow truck number" means the number issued by the department to tow trucks used by a registered tow truck operator in the state of Washington.
(12) "Tow truck permit" means the permit issued annually by the department that has the classification of service the tow truck may provide stamped upon it.
(13) "Tow truck service" means the transporting upon the public streets and highways of this state of vehicles, together with personal effects and cargo, by a tow truck of a registered operator.
(14) "Unauthorized vehicle" means a vehicle that is subject to impoundment after being left unattended in one of the following public or private locations for the indicated period of time:
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you will find most of the towing laws under the RCW 46.55 section...
But then again, throw in other issues or possibilities like the City telling the owner to have the vehicle removed for safety or health reasons adds another possibility...
I know there is more to this question, I just have a foggy crystal ball this week.
