10.25.030 Period of impoundment.
(1) Impoundment for Driving While License Suspended/Revoked.
(a) If the driver is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(c) (third degree suspended/revoked) and has no convictions for violation of RCW 46.20.342 in the past five years, the vehicle may be impounded, but no suspended driver hold shall be placed on the vehicle. If the driver is also the registered owner, then the vehicle shall be held until all outstanding penalties, fines, and forfeitures owed by him or her are satisfied. The driver and/or registered owner must present proof in a court of law that he or she has no outstanding penalties, fines, or forfeitures and the proof of financial responsibility as required by Chapter 46.29 RCW at redemption.
(b) If the driver is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(c) (third degree suspended/revoked) and has any prior convictions for violations of RCW 46.20.342 in the past five years, the vehicle may be held in impound for 30 days.
(c) If the driver of the vehicle is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a) or (1)(b) (first or second degree suspended/revoked), and has no convictions for violations of RCW 46.20.342 in the past five years, the vehicle may be held in impound for 30 days.
(d) If the driver of the vehicle is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a) or (1)(b) (first or second degree suspended/revoked) and has been convicted of a violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a) or (1)(b) in the past five years, the vehicle may be held in impound for 60 days.
(e) If the driver of the vehicle is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a) or (1)(b) (first or second degree suspended/revoked) and has been convicted of a violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a) or (1)(b) two or more times in the past five years, the vehicle may be held in impound for 90 days.
(2) Impoundment for Other Violations. Pursuant to the authority of RCW 46.55.113, whenever the driver of a vehicle is arrested for a violation of any of the provisions identified in PMC 10.25.010 not listed in subsection (1) of this section, or a vehicle is towed and impounded pursuant to the provisions of PMC 10.25.010 not listed in subsection (1) of this section, the vehicle may be impounded until such time as the registered or legal owner of said vehicle, a party having interest in the vehicle, a person authorized by the registered or legal owner, or one who has purchased the vehicle for value from the registered or legal owner, who produces ownership or authorization and signs a receipt therefor, appears in person to redeem said vehicle. For the purpose of this chapter, a person having an interest in the vehicle is a spouse, member of the immediate family or household, or other person relying upon the use of the vehicle to meet working, education, or medical needs, or for securing the necessities of life.
(3) The release of all vehicles impounded under this section shall be subject to the provisions of PMC 10.25.040. Commercially rented vehicles may be impounded; however, no suspended driver holds shall be placed upon these vehicles. The rental company owning such vehicle shall be notified by phone of such impound. [Ord. 3796, 2006; Ord. 3405 § 1, 2000; Ord. 3341 § 1, 1998; Code 1970 § 10.18.020.]