Private Property Impounds in Seattle, Washington

A private property impound (PPI) occurs when a property owner or authorized agent requests a vehicle removal from private property—like an apartment complex, business lot, or HOA community. This differs from a city tow, which is law-enforced for issues like illegal street parking. With a PPI, you control your property, and Cheap Towing acts on your behalf using legal signage and protocols. City involvement isn't required, but all local and state regulations must be followed to ensure the tow is enforceable and defensible.

Yes—but only if specific legal requirements are met. Washington state law (RCW 46.55) mandates proper signage at all entrances of a property stating that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. The signage must be clearly visible and meet size and language requirements. Without this, towing may be deemed unlawful. Cheap Towing helps ensure compliance by installing regulation-compliant signs and offering guidance on documentation and enforcement procedures to protect property owners from liability.

Apartment complexes, condominiums, shopping plazas, gated communities, office parks, and construction sites all benefit from PPI services. These properties often face issues with abandoned cars, unauthorized long-term parking, or vehicles taking up limited customer or resident space. Having a PPI agreement with Cheap Towing ensures you can enforce parking rules, maintain clear access for emergency services, and keep spaces available for intended users—without needing to wait for police or code enforcement.

Vehicles are typically impounded for blocking fire lanes, parking in reserved spaces, staying overnight without permits, or being abandoned or inoperable. Other reasons include violating posted time limits, blocking dumpsters, or taking up multiple spaces. We also frequently respond to unauthorized commercial or oversized vehicles parked in residential lots. Cheap Towing ensures each tow is well-documented, photographed, and legally justified to minimize disputes and keep your property free of parking abuse.

Both are available. While we recommend long-term agreements for ongoing enforcement, we also provide one-time impounds for situations like abandoned vehicles or temporary construction zones. With long-term contracts, you get dedicated signage, priority response, and streamlined reporting. One-time calls require proof of property ownership and written authorization, and must still follow city and state guidelines. Either way, we’ll ensure the impound is carried out legally and professionally.

Yes, and it must comply with RCW 46.55 in Washington State. The signage must be at all vehicle entrances, include the tow company’s name and phone number, and clearly state that unauthorized vehicles will be towed. Without proper signage, the vehicle owner could successfully contest the impound. Cheap Towing installs and maintains compliant signs as part of our service, ensuring you're always covered legally and ready to enforce parking rules without delay.

We offer 24/7 response, typically arriving within 30-60 minutes depending on your Seattle location and traffic. For long-term clients with signage in place, we can dispatch immediately without additional paperwork. If you’re a first-time caller, we’ll need basic proof of ownership and a written impound request. Either way, we act swiftly to help you maintain control over your property and avoid repeat violations.

Once a vehicle is towed, it's taken to our secure impound lot. The owner must provide identification, proof of ownership, and pay the applicable fees to retrieve it. We adhere strictly to state-required storage and fee structures. Vehicles not claimed within a legally mandated period may be processed through auction. Our goal is to keep the process professional and respectful while giving property owners the support they need to maintain order.

Not if it’s done correctly. The most common legal pitfalls include lacking proper signage, failing to document the violation, or impounding without clear authorization. Cheap Towing helps you avoid these risks by ensuring everything is compliant with Seattle and Washington law. We photograph every tow, document violations, and retain records to defend your actions if challenged. With us, you're not just getting a tow truck—you’re getting legal protection and compliance assurance.

Disputes typically involve claims of unfair towing or insufficient signage. At Cheap Towing, we document every tow with time-stamped photos, vehicle condition reports, and digital dispatch logs. This transparency helps resolve disputes quickly and fairly. If the case escalates to a formal complaint, this documentation supports your position. We also communicate professionally with vehicle owners to minimize conflict and provide clear instructions on how to retrieve their vehicle.