Towing Issues: Towed vehicle, code compliance, compliance officer

Question
I live in Perris California my question is can your car be towed if your inside?  Can it even be hooked up if your inside? Period.   My car was going to be towed for registration purposes it was parked in front of my home.  When i seen a code compliance officer around it.  The tow truck was already there but was not hooked up yet.  I got in my car with an attempt to move my car to the driveway.  When the tow company hooked up while i was already in.

Is this legal. Can they do this

Thank you

Answer
Well this is a touchy subject to deal with as "technically" it is illegal to tow any vehicle while it is occupied... That being said it sounds as if the "CITY CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER" was the one who ordered the tow and as doing that they were "acting in a lawful capacity" under city codes- rules and regulations...

Basically they were acting like a police officer with powers to remove violation vehicles... Yes expired tags are towed all the time for that reason and remember that you pay "TAXES" when you renew the tags.. So it is a money making deal for the city...

Now as to you running out and jumping in the car before or during the hookup is dangerous as with some trucks I can hook and lift your vehicle without getting out of the tow truck in as fast as it takes to shift from reverse to drive...

Now depending on the "legal" issues here it would sound like they were acting legally. But then again, since it was on the street it was an "illegal vehicle, not able to be driven legally"  That would be a key point here.. How were you going to legally move it?
And yes I have heard of many cities towing "unlicensed vehicles" from driveways, carports and even backyards due to expired tags... Remember its a money thing and the cities are now looking for every dime they can get..


I would love to say yes its legal or no its illegal but only a judge can say that...