Towing Issues: Car towed in under 5 minutes, fire hydrant, tow fee

Question
Hi, I recently arrived to my parents apartment from work and parked in the fire lane adjacent to their home. They live in San Diego, CA. I grabbed my junk from the car, hit the flashers and went to their unit. I entered, set my stuff down, said hello to my kids, and quickly used the restroom. Upon returning to my car, I found my car had vanished. I immediately contacted a towing company I know works the area, and sure enough my "vehicle was enroute" to the yard. I asked the dispatcher if I was wrong in believing that the landlord, or a rep thereof, needed to contact the company and authorize the tow. He, however, notified me that under a 2007 ordinance, tow companies are free to patrol public and private streets in search of fire lane violators. Needless to say, my vehicle was impounded and stored a whole of 30 minutes, including phone time, drive time, and paperwork processing. I was charged 247.00, including a weekends gate fee, the tow fee, and a storage fee, not to mention I had to put up with a very rude clerk who refused to identify herself or the name of the office manager.

what are my rights, if any?

thanks.  

Answer
Well, I really hate to say this but what you had happen is still legal ( check out the whole law Ca Code 22658 ) and the fee's you mentioned are sounding like they are inline with what should be charged.


Here is a copy of part of the law.

"(E) (i) General authorization to remove or commence removal of a vehicle at the towing companies discretion shall not be delegated to a towing company or its affiliates except in the case of a vehicle unlawfully parked within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or in a fire lane, or in a manner which interferes with ( )8 an entrance to, or exit from, the private property."


Now as to the rude clerk, I am sorry but I am not sure if there was a rule broke there, I seem to remember something about providing information.. I might be wrong there.. The rules are so long and full of legalize that its hard to read it all and keep all the different states and cities rules in line in my head..

But basically you did break the rules (set by the city regarding the fire lane (hazards do not allow you to park there) and as such this looks to be one of those lessons of life...

Sorry about the whole incident...  And I apologize for the persons attitude..  ( by chance was this Western Towing that got the vehicle???  if so they have a great web site where you can check out the rules and other information on services they provide and they have links to the state towing rules)