10.25.040 Redemption of impounded vehicles.
(1) Vehicles or other items of personal property registered or titled with the Washington State Department of Licensing or other similar agency impounded at the direction of the City law enforcement or code enforcement officer shall be redeemed only under the following circumstances:
(2) Redemption may be permitted only by:
(a) The legal owner, registered owner, a party having interest in the vehicle, or person authorized in writing by the legal owner of the vehicle.
(b) The vehicle’s insurer.
(c) A person who is determined and verified by the impound operator to have the permission of the registered owner of the vehicle or other item of title or registered personal property.
(d) One who has purchased the vehicle or item of registered or titled personal property from the registered owner, who produces proof of ownership or written authorization and signs a receipt therefor, and provides proof of financial responsibility as required by Chapter 46.29 RCW may redeem an impounded vehicle or item of titled or registered personal property.
(e) In addition, a vehicle impounded because the operator is in violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(c) shall not be released until a person eligible to redeem it under this subsection satisfies the requirements of RCW 46.55.120(1)(e), including paying all towing, removal, and storage fees, notwithstanding the fact that the impound hold period was ordered by the City. If the Washington State Department of Licensing’s records show that the driver has been convicted of a violation of RCW 46.20.342 within the past five years, the vehicle may be held for up to 30 days at the written direction of the Pasco Police Department. A vehicle impounded because the driver is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342 may be released only pursuant to a written order from the City or from the court having jurisdiction. The City may issue a written order for early release of the impounded vehicles as provided in PMC 10.25.050.
(f) A rental car business may immediately redeem a rental vehicle it owns by payment of the costs of removal, towing, and storage, whereupon the vehicle will not be held for a suspended license impound.
(g) A motor vehicle dealer or lender with a perfected security interest in the vehicle may redeem or lawfully repossess a vehicle immediately by payment of the costs of removal, towing, and storage, whereupon the vehicle will not be held for a suspended license impound as permitted by RCW 46.55.120(1)(d). [Ord. 3796, 2006; Ord. 3405 § 1, 2000; Ord. 3341 § 1, 1998; Code 1970 § 10.18.030.]