A. After notice has been given of the city’s intent to dispose of the vehicle and after any applicable appeal hearing has been held pursuant to Chapter 1.20 EMC, resulting in authority to remove, the vehicle or part thereof shall be removed at the request of a law enforcement officer and disposed of to a licensed motor vehicle wrecker or hulk hauler with notice to the Washington State Patrol and the Department that the vehicle has been wrecked. Any vehicle or part thereof impounded pursuant to this chapter shall be processed in the manner described in the Washington Model Traffic Ordinance.

B. Any registered disposer under contract of the city for the impounding of vehicles shall comply with any administrative regulations relative to the handling and disposing of vehicles as may be promulgated by the local authority or the Director.

C. Costs of removal may be assessed against the registered owner of the vehicle if the identity of the owner can be determined, unless the owner in the transfer of ownership of the vehicle has complied with RCW 46.12.101, or the costs may be assessed against the owner of the property on which the vehicle is stored, subject to Section 8.22.050 of this chapter.

D. The impounding of a vehicle shall not preclude charging the violator with any violation of the law on account of which such vehicle was impounded.

E. In addition to, or in lieu of, any other state or local provisions for the recovery of costs, the city may, after removal of a vehicle under this chapter, file for record with the county auditor to claim a lien for the cost of removal and any and all outstanding fines and collection costs, which shall be in substance in accordance with the provision covering mechanics’ liens in Chapter 60.04 RCW, and said lien shall be foreclosed in the same manner as such liens. (Ord. 3901-22 § 2 (Exh. B § 13), 2022; Ord. 2338-98 § 9, 1998.)