8.22.010 Definitions.
The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout the chapter:
A. “Abandoned vehicle” means a vehicle that a registered tow truck operator has impounded and held in the operator’s possession for 96 consecutive hours.
B. “Abandoned vehicle report” means the document prescribed by the state that the towing operator forwards to the department after a vehicle has become abandoned.
C. “Commission” means the state commission on equipment established under RCW 46.37.005.
D. “Department” means the Washington State Department of Licensing.
E. “Director” means the director of the department.
F. “Impound” means to take and hold a vehicle in legal custody. There are two types of impounds, public and private.
1. “Public impound” means that the vehicle has been impounded at the direction of a law enforcement officer or other public official having jurisdiction over the public property upon which the vehicle was located.
2. “Private impound” means that the vehicle has been impounded at the direction of a person having control or possession of the private property upon which the vehicle was located.
G. “Junk vehicle” means a motor vehicle certified under BMC 8.22.040 as meeting at least three of the following requirements:
1. Is three years old or older;
2. Is extensively damaged, such damage including but not limited to any of the following: a broken window or windshield or missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission;
3. Is apparently inoperable;
4. Has a fair market value equal only to the value of the scrap in it.
H. “Master log” means the document or an electronic facsimile prescribed by the department and the Washington State Patrol in which an operator records transactions involving impounded vehicles.
I. “Registered tow truck operator” or “operator” means any person who engages in the impounding, transporting, or storage of unauthorized vehicles or the disposal of abandoned vehicles.
J. “Residential property” means property that has no more than four living units located on it.
K. “Tow truck” means a motor vehicle that is equipped for and used in the business of towing vehicles with equipment as approved by the commission.
L. “Tow truck number” means the number issued by the department to tow trucks used by a registered tow truck operator in the state of Washington.
M. “Tow truck permit” means the permit issued annually by the department that has the classification of service the tow truck may provide stamped upon it.
N. “Tow truck service” means the transporting upon the public streets and highways of this state of unauthorized vehicles, together with personal effects and cargo, by a tow truck of a registered operator.
O. “Unauthorized vehicle” means a vehicle (regardless of physical condition) that is subject to impoundment after being left unattended in one of the following public or private locations for the indicated period of time:
Subject to removal after:
1. Public locations:
a. Constituting an accident or a traffic hazard as defined in RCW 46.55.113: immediately.
b. On a highway and tagged as described in RCW 46.55.085: 24 hours.
c. In a publicly owned or controlled parking facility, properly posted under BMC 8.22.020: immediately.
2. Private locations:
a. On residential property: immediately.
b. On private, nonresidential property, properly posted under BMC 8.22.020: immediately.
c. On private, nonresidential property, not posted: 24 hours. (Ord. 1687 § 1, 1997).