10.58.030 Holding vehicles impounded for criminal offenses.
A. DWLS/DWLR first degree or second degree. When a vehicle is impounded because the operator is in violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a) or (b) (DWLS/DWLR first or second degree), the vehicle will be held, at the written direction of a law enforcement officer, in impound before it may be redeemed for:
1. Seventy-two (72) hours when the Department of Licensing's records show that the operator has no prior conviction of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a) or (b) within the past five (5) years;
2. Ten (10) days when the Department of Licensing's records show that the operator has been convicted once of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a) or (b) within the past five (5) years; and
3. Thirty (30) days when the Department of Licensing's records show that the operator has been convicted two or more times of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a) or (b) within the past five (5) years.
B. DWLS/DWLR third degree. When a vehicle is impounded because the operator is in violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(c) (DWLS/DWLR third degree) or 46.20.420 (Operation of vehicle under other license or permit prohibited while license suspended or revoked), the vehicle will be held, at the written direction of a representative of the Police Department, in impound before it may be redeemed, as follows:
1. The Police Department shall issue an immediate written order of release of the vehicle from impound upon compliance with the provisions of section 10.58.040A and B when the Department of Licensing's records show that the operator has no prior convictions of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a), (b), or (c) or 46.20.420 within the past five (5) years; and
2. Seventy-two (72) hours when the Department of Licensing's records show that the operator has one or more convictions of RCW 46.20.342(1)(a), (b) or (c) or 46.20.420 within the past five (5) years.
C. Early release. The police chief or his duly appointed representative shall issue a written order to release the vehicle from impound before the expiration of the impound period only on the basis of the following: (1) economic or personal hardship to the spouse of the operator, taking into consideration public safety factors, including the operator’s criminal history and driving record; or (2) the owner of the vehicle was not the driver, the owner did not know that the driver’s license was suspended or revoked, and the owner has not received a prior release under this subsection or RCW 46.55.113(3).