Wash. Rev. Code » Title 63 · Chapter 63.21
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 63.21.060 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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Any governmental entity that acquires lost property shall attempt to notify the apparent owner of the property. If the property is not returned to a person validly establishing ownership or right to possession of the property, the governmental entity shall forward the lost property within thirty days but not less than ten days after the time the governmental entity acquires the lost property to the chief law enforcement officer, his or her designated representative, or other designated entity under *RCW 63.32.060, of the county in which the property was found, except that if the property is found within the borders of a city or town the property shall be forwarded to the chief law enforcement officer of the city or town, his or her designated representative, or other entity of the city or town so designated under RCW 63.21.090. A governmental entity may elect to retain property which it acquires and dispose of the property as provided by chapter 63.32 or 63.40 RCW.
[ 2020 c 26 s 14; 1979 ex.s. c 85 s 6.]

Notes:

*Reviser's note: The reference to RCW 63.32.060 appears to be erroneous. RCW 63.21.090 was apparently intended.
Intent—2020 c 26: See note following RCW 63.21.090.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases, 1995–2015 · leading case: State v. Kealey, 907 P.2d 319 (Wash. Ct. App. 1995).
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State v. Kealey, 907 P.2d 319 (Wash. Ct. App. 1995). “1995) ("[Cjourts recognize a police *175 obligation to undertake to find the owner of property they find or which a finder turns over to them, and on this basis an examination of contents is permissible, but only to the extent needed to discover the owner’s identification.”
State v. Coyne, 99 Wash. App. 566 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “The legal duties of the police under these circumstances are described in RCW 63.21.060. A governmental entity acquiring lost property must first attempt to notify the apparent lawful owner or person lawfully possessing the property.”
State v. Coyne, 995 P.2d 78 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “The legal duties of the police under these circumstances are described in RCW 63.21.060. A governmental entity acquiring lost property must first attempt to notify the apparent lawful owner or person lawfully possessing the property.”
Graham v. Notti, 196 P.3d 1070 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “RCW 63.21.060 ("Duties of governmental entity acquiring lost property-Disposal of property").”
State v. Kealey, 907 P.2d 319 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “[47] RCW 63.21.060 imposes on the police the obligation to attempt to notify the owner of the lost property.”
State v. Samalia, 344 P.3d 722 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “47 (citing RCW 63.21.060). Here, though, police did not identify themselves to Ms.”
Graham v. Notti, 147 Wash. App. 629 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “RCW 63.21.060 (“Duties of governmental entity acquiring lost property — Disposal of property”).”
State of Washington v. Marshall Lawrence Story (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 3× “It relies on Kealey and RCW 63.21.060 in support of its argument.”
State of Washington v. Adrian Sutlej Samalia (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “31691-2-111 - dissent from the console of the stolen car, was lawful, and from that concluded that Mr.”
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