Seattle Council Passes Vehicle Impound Ordinance

The Seattle City Council has passed an ordinance (Seattle Council Bill No. 112327) to implement the 1998 state legislation (Chapter 203, Laws of 1998) authorizing the impoundment of vehicles operated by drivers with suspended or revoked licenses. Ch. 203, Laws of 1998 is ESHB 1221 without Sections 7 and 13 which were vetoed by Governor Locke.

Section 4 of the ordinance adds the necessary impound authority. The ordinance also amends existing municipal code provisions on redemption of impounded vehicles, post-impoundment hearing procedures, administrative impound fees in contracts for towing and storage, and rules and regulations to reflect the requirements of the 1998 legislation.

This amendatory ordinance, as well as existing municipal code provisions, may provide a useful model for cities and counties considering adoption or amendment of their own vehicle impound ordinances.

Enacted ordinances can be found by searching the Seattle City Clerk's Legislative Database. Existing Seattle code provisions (Ch. 11.30 - Impounding) which are not amended but which are useful for reviewing Seattle's complete impound program are also available through the Seattle City Clerk's Web site.