Richmond council to consider increase in towing fees
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TOWING CHARGES Charges allowed in Richmond for vehicle towing from private property Current : $65 towing fee, $20-per-day storage fee after first 24 hours Proposed : $125 towing fee, $35-per-day storage fee after first 24 hours, $30 fee to release vehicles that are not yet towed; $30 administrative fee for vehicles held at least 72 hours |
Sometimes, it pays to break the rules.
The Richmond City Council will consider nearly doubling the rates that towing companies can charge to remove vehicles from private property, even though some operators have been charging more than a city ordinance allows.
The city's maximum towing fee would be raised to $125 from $65 to match the price allowed under state code, under a proposal that's expected to be introduced to the council tomorrow. The state rate applies only if localities don't cap their own rates.
A recent investigation by the Richmond Police Department found that some towing companies have been charging excessive fees when they remove and store illegally parked vehicles from private property.
The department reviewed five towing complaints and found five excessive charges, ranging from $100 to $155 by Marshall Brothers Towing, USA Towing and Peaco Towing. Some of the additional charges included a "convenience fee" if owners wanted to pick up their vehicles after office hours.
After the overcharges were publicized, Marshall Brothers agreed to reimburse the excessive amounts to three customers and to limit subsequent fees to those authorized by the city, said Sgt. William McCracken, who oversaw the Police Department's investigation.
Richmond's rates have been in effect for 10 years and they need to be increased, in part to avoid confusion, said Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell, chairwoman of the Public Safety Standing Committee. The city's Advisory Board for the Assessment of Towing Fees and Storage of Vehicles also is recommending an increase in light of operators' costs for taxes, equipment, gas and insurance.
"It's for everybody to be in compliance with the state code and what they are," Trammell said.
She's agreed to sponsor the proposal, which could be offered for a vote as early as Oct. 26. It also would allow towing operators to increase the daily storage fee to $35 from $20 after the first 24-hour period and allow a $30 administrative fee for vehicles not picked up within 72 hours.
The proposal also would clarify what fees would apply if the owner of a vehicle arrives when it's already been picked up but is not yet towed. In that situation, a $30 fee to release the vehicle could be charged. The city's towing rates apply when vehicles are towed from private property in the city, regardless of where the operator is based.
Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or
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Reader Reactions
City cynic - read the article, this issue is about being towed from a private lot. Some lots have arrangements with tow companies to tow whenever someone parks in the lot for some reason other than to do business with the lot owner or for parking too long in the lot. No cop is called, it is just grab the car and go. The problem is some signs in some lots are badly placed, badly worded, or lacking the language and information that is required by the state and city codes. There is almost no way to contest, appeal, or get your money back when you are illegally towed or charged more than the law allows. This is not whining, this is a plea for fair treatment and a protest against overlooked theft by some towing companies and storage lot operators. Illegal street parking is another issue entirely and I too have no sympathy for illegal street parking if the signs are properly posted and the required notice is given.
jimbo08: AMEN. All of you whiny babies - don’t park in a no parking zone and you won’t get towed. Newsflash - driving a BMW doesn’t exclude you from the law. When you run into the cleaners “for jsut a minute” at 5pm you cause a dangerous back-up on 14th street. When you park in front of Poe’s Pub or Millie’s during rush hour, you are putting lives in danger. Obey the law and you have nothing to worry about. Otherwise, shut up and pay up. I say TRIPLE the fees.
Thanks but no thanks to living or going to the city, I’ll stay in the county where I park in my driveway or street if I want too, with no worry about towing. If the city wants more people to visit or live there,they need to come up with better parking (no meters)to bring people there, not chase them away!!
Insult to injury. The towing board is made up of mainly cops and tow truck owners, any wonder that even when wrong doing is uncovered no one is fined, jailed, or even put on probation. The current fees are reasonable under the state law and current market conditions, and should be left where they are. The only change that is needed is to add specific punishments for price gouging and to provide for a $100 penalty payable in cash to people whose cars have been towed illegally. For a person who cares about the voters, Ms. Trammell certainly has overlooked the people’s needs and rights in this instance. Many of the private lots in Richmond have signage that does not meet the state and city standards necessary to allow towing, but when someone has your car it is hard to stand on principle and fight for your rights knowing every day could cost you if you get an incorrect, unfair ruling. And for what, to get your own car back from a city-licensed thief.
This is what happens when we play politics rather than researching and voting for the candidate that will serve the people. We vote along party lines and keep the same people in office who start to feel a sense of power and forget about the people they are suppose to serve. There has been no reasonable explanation given as to why fees that are already being abused in favor of the towing companies should be increased. I can not help but think that this is “Officials taking advantage of their power and position”. It makes me think money is changing hands.
Richmond city council you work for the people. Your words are hollow and your actions are clear. “Hurray For Us And *@#&%^ The People”
Parking is prohibited on East Main Street east of downtown between 4 and 6 PM on business days. There are always parkers on East Main during these times, including a FEDEX truck parked in the 1700 block daily around 4:45. All traffic is forced to one lane because of these inconsiderate people. What Richmond should do is have police officers on patrol driving police tow trucks, putting the hook on these vehicles and removing them immediately (other cities do this). Then raise the fee to $300, and let the scofflaws pay for the whole operation. And pay those officers a bonus for having to do a usually dirty job.
This is one of many reasons why you couldn’t pay me enough to live in the city. You could give me a free home and I’d sell it instead of living there.
Before any changes in the City ordinance are made, towing companies who’ve wantonly violated it and are already known to the police must be charged, prosecuted, tried, and, if found guilty, punished.
Only then should changes be made to conform City Ordinances to the maximum permitted by the Code of Virginia. That change should be accompanied by strong, enforceable, easily understood requirements that make it mandatory for property owners to prominently post signs (in accordance with standards which the City must develop) ensuring that it is abundantly clear that their property is private, the conditions under which parking is permitted, and that violators are subject to towing by towing operators whose names, addresses, phone numbers, and office hours are clearly visible. Further, strong enforceable penalties must be incorporated in the revised ordinance that provide significant, financial penalties for towing companies who violate the city towing ordinance.
The current proposal is nothing more than a reward for wanton violation of existing ordinances by greedy, unscrupulous towing operators whose violations and identities are already known to the police.
The tow trucks ride around the allies like Sharks looking for food. As a diver, the only thing they need to add to the truck are fins… their teeth is the tow hook on the back.
Even if they see you get out, they will not give you a warning so you can move to a different location. To me, I think these tow companies are nothing more than “Legalize Thieves”.
To All: to avoid being towed, OBEY the parking regulations. I don’t like them either, but you have to put your foot down somewhere. Parkers, learn to read the signs AND obey them. When it says “No Parking” that means it applies to you, too.
Richmonders, you are lucky to be ABLE to park on the street. Most other cities where I’ve been, there’s NO on-street parking and you HAVE to pay dearly to park in a deck or garage. Count your blessings.
Now, what I DON’T agree with is ticketing and towing a LEGALLY parked car (that is obeying all signs).
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