A. The law enforcement agency which has impounded a vehicle under this chapter shall immediately provide the registered tow truck operator a written order of impound on forms prepared by the county Sheriff's Office. The form shall provide, at minimum, the following:
1. A description of the vehicle (including license plate number);
2. Date and time of impound;
3. The reason for the impound;
4. The name of the operator of the vehicle;
5. The name and address of the last registered and legal owner(s) of the vehicle as provided by the Department of Motor Vehicle records; and
6. Duration that the vehicle is to be impounded as provided by this chapter and RCW Chapter 46.55.
B. The registered tow truck operator towing or receiving an impounded vehicle under this chapter shall, within twenty-four hours of the impoundment, notify in writing the last known registered and legal owner (s) of the impounded vehicle of the order of impoundment. The registered tow truck operator may use the information provided by the law enforcement agency ordering the impound of the vehicle. The notice of impoundment notification shall be made and deemed completed by first class mail to the last known address of the registered and legal owner(s) of the vehicle.
1. The notice of impoundment shall be provided on forms developed and prepared by the county sheriff's office, and provide, at minimum, the following information:
a. The name of the agency ordering the impound;
b. The date of the impoundment;
c. The reason for the impoundment;
d. The duration of the impoundment;
e. The tow truck operator who is in possession of the vehicle; and
f. Notice of right to seek a hearing before the county district court to challenge the impound, provided a written request is filed with the court within ten days of the date of mailing.
2. The tow truck operator shall also enclose, along with the notice of impoundment to the last registered owner(s), the following:
a. A copy of the sheriff's order of impound as provided in subsection 5(A);
b. A request for hearing form as prepared by the county sheriff's office to be used to request a hearing before the county district court; and
c. An invoice of the towing and anticipated storage costs.
Failure to enclose any of the above information or items will not constitute a defense or affect the validity of the impoundment of the vehicle.
3. The registered tow truck operator which has towed or received an impounded vehicle shall also give to each person who seeks to redeem an impounded vehicle, written notice as provided in this subsection 5(B). (Ord. 1999-08)