Towing Issues: Was it okay for them to tow?, tow yard, towing company

Question
Hi Richard,

East Lansing, MI.

Question for you, I was parked in a Shopping Plaza over
night... There were signs that said could be towed at owners
expense but they were way in the back and did not see them
until i was looking for the towers #. Anyway, by city law,
cars are aloud to park anytime except between 3am-5am. I
received a ticket at 4:50am (ugh!)
but wasn't towed until 7am. My question is... was the towing
company allowed to tow me even though I was parked during
the time I was allowed to, according to city law? Or does it
not matter since the owner probably made the call anyway?

Thanks

Answer
Well parking in private lots have some different rules and regulations in relation to parking on the streets.

But in many cases vehicles which are parked illegally and then towed, are ticketed first and then the tow truck is called. It does take time to get there and do the job. So it is possible that it was just one of those things where the time is still valid since it was in violation when it was ordered.

But you have to also consider the property owners rights and responsibilities in this matter also.
They pay the taxes, insurance and upkeep on the lot and as such want to be able to control who uses their parking lot.

And another thought might be that the 7AM is the time the vehicle got to the tow yard, after all storage would start then and the paperwork would show that also.