A. Not more than 24 hours after impoundment of any vehicle, the tow contractor shall mail a notice by first class mail to the last known legal and registered owners of the vehicles, as may be disclosed by the vehicle identification number, and as provided by the DOL. The notice shall include the name of the impounding tow firm, its address, and telephone number. The notice shall include the location and time of the impound, and by whose authority the vehicle was impounded. The notice shall include the written notice of the right of redemption and opportunity for a hearing to contest the validity of the impound or the amount of towing and storage charges. The notice shall state the length of the impound.

B. The notice required in subsection A of this section shall state that a person who desires to redeem a vehicle impounded must, within five days of the impound at the request of the tow truck operator, pay a security deposit to the tow truck operator of not more than half of the applicable impound storage rate for each day of the proposed suspended license impound to ensure payment of the costs of the removal, towing, and storage of the vehicle pursuant to RCW 46.55.120(1)(b).

C. The notification required in subsection A of this section shall state that if the security deposit is not posted within five days of the impound the vehicle will immediately be processed and sold at auction as an abandoned vehicle pursuant to RCW 46.55.130(1). The notice shall state the requirements set out in LMC 10.28.050 regarding the payment of the costs of removal, towing, and storage as well as providing proof of satisfaction of any penalties, fines, or forfeitures before redemption. The notice must also state that the registered owner is ineligible to purchase the vehicle at the abandoned vehicle auction, if held.

D. If the date on which a notice required by subsection A of this section is to be mailed falls upon a Saturday, Sunday, or postal holiday, the notice may be mailed on the next day that is neither a Saturday, Sunday, nor a postal holiday.

E. Similar notice shall be given to each person who seeks to redeem an impounded vehicle, except that if a vehicle is redeemed prior to the mailing of notice, then notice need not be mailed.

F. The Lakewood Police Department shall give written notification to the last registered and legal owner that the investigatory hold has been removed, except that if a vehicle is redeemed following notice by telephone and prior to the mailing of notice, then notice need not be mailed. In addition, the Police Department shall notify the towing contractor, by telephone, fax or in writing, of the authorization to release such vehicle.

G. As provided for in RCW 46.55.120(4), as now stated or hereinafter amended, notwithstanding the statements contained in the notice described above, the legal owner of a vehicle or personal property subject to impound under this section may redeem such property before the start of an auction by payment of the applicable towing, administrative and storage fees, as well as all applicable or necessary fines and interest. [Ord. 511 § 2, 2010; Ord. 214 § 3, 1999; Ord. 194 § 1, 1999.]