§ 12.61.390. Officers authorized to remove illegally stopped vehicle.

(1)

Whenever any police officer finds a vehicle standing upon a highway in violation of any of the provisions of Section 12.61.385, such officer is hereby authorized to move such vehicle, or require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to move the same, to a position off the main traveled part of such highway.

(2)

Whenever any police officer finds a vehicle unattended upon any bridge or causeway or in any tunnel where such vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic, such officer is hereby authorized to provide for the removal of such vehicle to the nearest garage or other place of safety.

(3)

The charge for removal of a vehicle as authorized in subsections (1) and (2) above shall be fixed by the sheriff of Thurston county. The sheriff may perform the removal service directly or through a private firm. A private firm providing such removal services shall post the authorized charges therefor prominently at its place of business. The costs incurred in the removal of such a vehicle shall be paid by the vehicle's owner and shall be a lien upon the vehicle until paid.

(Ord. 3748, 1968)