Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.55
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.55.140 (2026)

Operator's lien, deficiency claim, liability

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A registered tow truck operator who has a valid and signed impoundment authorization has a lien upon the impounded vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle, unless the impoundment is determined to have been invalid. The lien does not apply to personal property in or upon the vehicle that is not permanently attached to or is not an integral part of the vehicle except for items of personal property registered or titled with the department. The registered tow truck operator also has a deficiency claim against the registered owner of the vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle not to exceed the sum of five hundred dollars after deduction of the amount bid at auction, and for vehicles of over ten thousand pounds gross vehicle weight, the operator has a deficiency claim of one thousand dollars after deduction of the amount bid at auction, unless the impound is determined to be invalid. The limitation on towing and storage deficiency claims does not apply to an impound directed by a law enforcement officer. In no case may the cost of the auction or a buyer's fee be added to the amount charged for the vehicle at the auction, the vehicle's lien, or the overage due. A registered owner who has completed and filed with the department the report of sale as provided for in RCW 46.12.650 and has timely and properly filed the report of sale is relieved of liability under this section. The person named as the new owner of the vehicle on the timely and properly filed report of sale shall assume liability under this section.
(2) Any person who tows, removes, or otherwise disturbs any vehicle parked, stalled, or otherwise left on privately owned or controlled property, and any person owning or controlling the private property, or either of them, are liable to the owner or operator of a vehicle, or each of them, for consequential and incidental damages arising from any interference with the ownership or use of the vehicle which does not comply with the requirements of this chapter.
[ 2010 c 161 s 1121; 1995 c 360 s 8; 1992 c 200 s 1; 1991 c 20 s 2; 1989 c 111 s 13; 1987 c 311 s 14; 1985 c 377 s 14.]

Notes:

Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2003–2021 · leading case: Hayden v. Wells (In Re Hayden), 308 B.R. 428 (9th Cir. BAP 2004).
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Hayden v. Wells (In Re Hayden), 308 B.R. 428 (9th Cir. BAP 2004). · cites it 4× “Similarly, RCW § 46.55.140(1) provides that a “registered tow truck operator who has a valid and signed impoundment authorization has a lien upon the impounded vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle, unless the impoundment is determined to have…”
City of Seattle v. Long, 493 P.3d 94 (Wash. 2021). “RCW 46.55.140(1). This lien effectively attached the home as security for the impound debts.”
Betts v. Equifax Credit Info. Servs., Inc., 245 F. Supp. 2d 1130 (W.D. Wash. 2003). · cites it 2× “Wash. Rev.Code § 46.55.140(1) allows for liability to extend to the purchaser listed on such a vehicle seller's report only if it was "timely and properly filed” in accordance with Wash.”
Citizens for Des Moines, Inc. v. Petersen, 106 P.3d 290 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “120(1)(e), and RCW 46.55.140. And the court apparently reasoned that consideration flowed from Pete's Towing back to the city, even though the city was not obligated to pay towing fees, because by towing away the *294 vehicle, Pete's Towing either cleared city streets of a…”
City Of Seattle, Petitioner/cross-respondent v. Steven G. Long, Respondent/cross-petitioner, 463 P.3d 135 (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 8× “Under RCW 46.55.140(1), “[a] registered tow truck operator who has a valid and signed impoundment authorization has a lien upon the impounded vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle.”
City Of Seattle, Petitioner/cross-respondent v. Steven G. Long, Respondent/cross-petitioner (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 8× “Under RCW 46.55.140(1), “[a] registered tow truck operator who has a valid and signed impoundment authorization has a lien upon the impounded vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.55.140(1) — 5 cases
City of Seattle v. Long, 493 P.3d 94 (Wash. 2021). “RCW 46.55.140(1). This lien effectively attached the home as security for the impound debts.”
Hayden v. Wells (In Re Hayden), 308 B.R. 428 (9th Cir. BAP 2004). “Similarly, RCW § 46.55.140(1) provides that a “registered tow truck operator who has a valid and signed impoundment authorization has a lien upon the impounded vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle, unless the impoundment is determined to have…”
Betts v. Equifax Credit Info. Servs., Inc., 245 F. Supp. 2d 1130 (W.D. Wash. 2003). “Wash. Rev.Code § 46.55.140(1) allows for liability to extend to the purchaser listed on such a vehicle seller's report only if it was "timely and properly filed” in accordance with Wash.”
City Of Seattle, Petitioner/cross-respondent v. Steven G. Long, Respondent/cross-petitioner, 463 P.3d 135 (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “Under RCW 46.55.140(1), “[a] registered tow truck operator who has a valid and signed impoundment authorization has a lien upon the impounded vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle.”
City Of Seattle, Petitioner/cross-respondent v. Steven G. Long, Respondent/cross-petitioner (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “Under RCW 46.55.140(1), “[a] registered tow truck operator who has a valid and signed impoundment authorization has a lien upon the impounded vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.55.140(a) — 1 case
Hayden v. Wells (In Re Hayden), 308 B.R. 428 (9th Cir. BAP 2004). “Similarly, RCW § 46.55.140(1) provides that a “registered tow truck operator who has a valid and signed impoundment authorization has a lien upon the impounded vehicle for services provided in the towing and storage of the vehicle, unless the impoundment is determined to have…”
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