QuestionI've moved to Glen Burnie, MD. from Pa. last month. The parking lot was full at a nightclub I went to, to apply for a "bouncer" job at approx 11:00pm. I noticed a closed business lot acrossed the street with several cars also parked there. I parked, went into the club and came out approx 25 min later and ALL cars, including mine were gone. There was a huge portable sign in the lot explaining that all cars were towed because it was private property, and we should call a specific number the following day, between 3:00-4:00 pm to make arrangements to pick up our cars from impound. Once the lot was empty, I did notice a small sign on the building that said "Private Property" I never noticed it earlier with all the other cars there, but it was clearly marked, even tho it was a very small sign. There was nothing about cars being towed at owners expense. Next day, I took a cab to the towing business, stood in line with 8 other ppl who had their cars towed as well. My debit card was denied... they only accepted cash! The company kept one of my debit cards & my out of state license, gave me my car & told me to return immediately with the cash.They were very unprofessional and down right rude! Once I left, I decided to stop at the police station to question the legality of the towing & the company. The officer immediately knew of this company and said they have no tax license, and are often "shut down" only to start up again once things cool down. He told me to absolutely NOT to pay the $225. and to close the acct. of the card I left with the tow company, and to just apply for a MD. license, that there was nothing the tow company could really do. He said they have a horrible reputation in that area and have a "spotter" in the club lot each night, who calls in when cars park in the other lot. The policeman said he would look into the company operating in the area again. So I went home, cancelled my debit card with the bank, but the next day, I noticed that the towing company ran the card, apparently before it was cancelled and got the money anyway. My question is, who gives them the authority to tow cars? (it it the business owner?) and does it have to be posted that cars parked on that property will be towed at owners expense? I'm just wondering if I have any recourse, either with the lot owner or the towing company and if this is, infact legal in MD.?? Thank you very much.
AnswerInteresting question here, and I want to say that Maryland towing laws are very hard to find online... I only have a few very basic laws which I have found...
But this sounds strange in the fact that you were able to trade your debit card and drivers license and get your vehicle out to go get cash... (and then the tow company got the money off your card)
Now as a general rule and practice, vehicles towed for illegal parking are authorized to be removed by the property owner - manager, and require a signature to do that.
YES some tow companies have "blanket authorizations" to remove vehicles from property which in most areas are still legal to do so... This is called patrol towing...
Now even though the business who owns the parking lot was closed their property rights still exist and they can have vehicles removed even after hours...
Now if the tow company is "That well known by the police" then it does seem that they tend to bend or skirt any laws which might apply to the area involved. And then again there are a few "bad apple" tow companies out there which make the rest of the "legal and ethical" tow companies look bad...
You can always take the small claims court route and see if you prevail in court against the tow company and or the property owner...
BUT a word of advise, I get a huge amount of questions from Maryland about towing from private property, and want to say this...
IF you park anywhere, look around for signs on poles, fences, buildings and such. If you find "ANY SIGN AT ALL" and you can not meet the requirements of that sign, then do not park there... It's gonna be expensive otherwise.
