Towing Issues: Car towed in apartment complex, tow truck company, gov pubs

Question
I read another similar question, so I do apologize if you've answered it a million times. My friend and I were in Napa, California at our friends apartment. They have 2 reserved parking spaces assigned to them, and we only needed to stay for a short period. So we double parked in front of their 2 assigned spots. We return 20 minutes later to have the car not be there. Got into contact with towing company and they said we were blocking a fire lane and blocking a driveway. And I would like to point out there was plenty of space for any vehicle to get by, and nothing was marked as "Fire Lane" or in red. When we got the car it was $350, and the whole time the guy we were dealing with, who happened to be the owner was cussing at us, and being completely rude. Oh and if its relevant information, no one called the tow truck company, they were patrolling. Just wondering if its a legal tow if nothing was marked as fire lane, and were there for 20 minutes. Thank you. Napa, California.

Answer
Well from what you describe to me the parking area is most likely a carport style area separate from the buildings.

As a "general rule" any roadway which goes around or though the parking lot, unless it is divided into 2 lanes with marking is ruled a firelane.
Now some places do mark the curbs and such as fire lanes and such, and some places do not.  It depends on what the complex has done or decided. Plus at times the signs get torn - blown down, and paint does fade.  

I know making excuses for that, but it brings up the point that you even mentioned that you would only be a short time at that location and you "double parked".

You do know that is against the law? Correct?   

Well that in itself is enough to get towed away...

Now California has a bunch of laws regarding towing vehicles from private property and section 22658 of the vehicle code is the one that applies 99% of the time.
Check it out below.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22658.htm


now section 22500 defines fire lanes and how they are supposed to be marked...

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22500_1.htm



As to the attitude of the "tow company owner" well I am sorry and hope that you do not encounter someone like that again. It does make us all look bad...