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Washington statute

RCW 9A.82.180 — Catalytic converters—Marking requirements—Defense

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Chapter 9A.82: Criminal Profiteering Act, Revised Code of Washington.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of RCW 9A.82.180

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.

RCW 9A.82.180Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
(1) Any person who removes a catalytic converter from a vehicle for a purpose other than maintenance, repair, or demolition, or who knowingly possesses an unmarked detached catalytic converter, must permanently mark the detached catalytic converter with the last eight digits of the originating vehicle's vehicle identification number such that at least a portion of the marking is visible from any side. The marking must be completed in a reasonable time after removal, but no later than 24 hours after removal, and before off-site transport of the detached catalytic converter. (2) Detached catalytic converters that are not marked as required by this section are subject to immediate seizure and forfeiture by law enforcement. (3)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, it is a gross misdemeanor for any person to intentionally remove, alter[,] or obliterate from a detached catalytic converter the last eight digits of the originating vehicle identification number, as required by subsection (1) of this section. (b) A person who intentionally removes, alters, or obliterates from a detached catalytic converter the last eight digits of the original vehicle identification number is guilty of a class C felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW if the person has previously been convicted under this subsection. (4) It is a gross misdemeanor for any person who is not a scrap processor licensed under chapter 46.79 RCW or vehicle wrecker licensed under chapter 46.80 RCW to knowingly possess, sell, or offer for sale six or fewer detached catalytic converters that do not comply with the marking requirements under subsection (1) of this section. (5) It is a class C felony for any person who is not a scrap processor licensed under chapter 46.79 RCW or vehicle wrecker licensed under chapter 46.80 RCW to knowingly possess, sell, or offer for sale seven or more detached catalytic converters that do not comply with the marking requirements under subsection (1) of this section. (6) Where a case is legally sufficient to charge an alleged juvenile offender with a violation under this section, and that violation would be the alleged offender's first violation involving detached catalytic converters, the prosecutor is encouraged to divert the case pursuant to RCW 13.40.070. (7) It is an affirmative defense to this section that the possessor removed the detached catalytic converter with the permission of the registered owner of the vehicle or vehicles.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is catalytic converters a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?

It depends on the circumstances: catalytic converters ranges from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.82.180.

Removing, altering, or obliterating VIN marking (first offense): Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9A.82.180(3)(a)) · Removing, altering, or obliterating VIN marking (repeat offense): Class C Felony (RCW 9A.82.180(3)(b)) · Possession/sale of six or fewer unmarked converters: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9A.82.180(4)) · Possession/sale of seven or more unmarked converters: Class C Felony (RCW 9A.82.180(5))

Which Washington statute covers catalytic converters?

Catalytic converters is governed by RCW 9A.82.180 (Catalytic converters—Marking requirements—Defense).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.