Towing Issues: Illegal towing, visible signs, cosmetic center

Question
I perform surgery at a surgery center at the 1300 block of Bellona in
Lutherville, Baltimore County.  There is another cosmetic center next to it
with parking spaces where I have parked before in the very back.  There are
no visible signs of reserved parking other than numbered parking spaces.  
There is no street number to indicate what those numbers mean.  I was told
those were reserved parking spaces while I was performing surgery and to
move my vehicle.  I have had no prior notices in the past when I parked there
previously.  There were no tow signs posted at the time I parked there.  Later
that morning the other center barricaded my car with cars in the front and
back, effectively blocking my car from moving.  I assumed I was going to be
performing surgery there all day, the other center would have closed by the
time I left and they would have moved their car.  In between cases, I spoke to
the property manager of the building complex. He stated they were allowed
15 parking spaces.  He stated he spoke the the center's manage to move their
car so I could move my car.  When I came out of surgery at the end of the
day, I noticed towing signs were placed and my car was towed without prior
notification (approximately 1 pm).  The property complex manager/owner
stated he signed a towing contract with the towing companty approximately
10 am, requested by the other center's manager for a towing sign.  He,
however, did not sign an authorization to have my car towed.  The manager of
the towing company stated that Baltimore County Ordinance does allow a car
to be towed upon posting a sign with no grace period or prior notification,
even though my car was legally parked that same morning when there were
no visible signs posted.  The towing company stated I would have to sue them
to get my money back.  I have not been able to find any ordinance about
posting a sign and a grace period or requirement of notification prior to
towing a vehicle.  There is an ordinance  stating the owner has to authorize
the towing and violation of transportation ordinane can result in 3 times the
cost of towing fees.  I am just trying to get my money back and need
supporting documentation or Baltimore County Ordinance to support my case
that they cannot just put up a sign and tow one's vehicle after the fact.  Any
help would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Answer
In most cases the tow signs have to be in place before the vehicle gets towed, you are correct that there must be signed tow authorization. If there isn't then the tow company and whoever requested the tow are in violation. The ethical procedure for the new tow contract should have been a violation or warning sticker since the tow signs were placed less than 24 hours. You will not find a law or statue expressing this but most professional towing companies will give the opportunity for removal prior to towing. Most would agree that tow signs placed within the same day and removing vehicles without prior notification is wrong and could be illegal in some cases. In my opinion since there are some grey areas in the tow situation keep proceeding forward. If the tow company stated that they want to go to court, then take their advice and go. Make sure you include the property manager or agent in your subpoena. You already know the end result, you already paid. You may find once they receive the subpoena they might be more open to negotiations.