Washington statute
RCW 9A.56.270 — Shopping cart theft
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9A.56: Theft And Robbery, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 9A.56.270
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official text of the Revised Code of Washington from the Code Reviser's published files; it is not the official statutes of the State of Washington.
(1) It is unlawful to do any of the following acts, if a shopping cart has a permanently affixed sign as provided in subsection (2) of this section:
(a) To remove a shopping cart from the parking area of a retail establishment with the intent to deprive the owner of the shopping cart the use of the cart; or
(b) To be in possession of any shopping cart that has been removed from the parking area of a retail establishment with the intent to deprive the owner of the shopping cart the use of the cart.
(2) This section shall apply only when a shopping cart: (a) Has a sign permanently affixed to it that identifies the owner of the cart or the retailer, or both; (b) notifies the public of the procedure to be utilized for authorized removal of the cart from the premises; (c) notifies the public that the unauthorized removal of the cart from the premises or parking area of the retail establishment, or the unauthorized possession of the cart, is unlawful; and (d) lists a telephone number or address for returning carts removed from the premises or parking area to the owner or retailer.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is shopping cart theft a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Shopping cart theft is a Misdemeanor in Washington under RCW 9A.56.270.
Which Washington statute covers shopping cart theft?
Shopping cart theft is governed by RCW 9A.56.270 (Shopping cart theft).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.