QuestionI stay in a condo in San Diego California. My visitor parked in front of my garage parking for a quick visit. A strip of red paint across the entrance of my garage parking stated fire lane. Within 20 minutes her car was gone. We did not notice because the garage door had been shut. For the time we were able to get the number of the towing company another 20 minutes had past, being that it was late in the evening. Now I ask the tow company what are my expected cost. They estimate $329 for a total....a total of an hour lapsed time since they towed the vehicle. Unbelievable! There must be some law regarding towing fees and time of retrieval. Please provide me with some guidance.
AnswerWell, I am sorry that your visitor got towed while parked in the fire lane... How ever they are there for safety reasons. And as such vehicles get towed from them in a very quick fashion..
California laws have been changed and they have lots of rules and regulations.. But the fire lane provision is still there in the manner its been for a long time.. (here is a section of the law regarding this issue )
22953(a): Every owner or person in lawful possession of any private property which is held open to the public, or a discernible portion thereof, for parking of vehicles at no fee, shall not tow or remove, or cause the towing or removal, of any vehicle within one hour of the vehicle being parked. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a vehicle may be removed immediately after being illegally parked within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in a fire lane, or in a parking space or stall legally designated for disabled persons. (c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to property designated for parking at an apartment complex, or to property designated for parking at a hotel or motel where the parking stalls or spaces are clearly marked for a specific room. (d) It is the intent of the Legislature in the adoption of subdivision (a) to avoid causing the unnecessary stranding of motorists and placing them in dangerous situations, when traffic citations and other civil remedies are available, thereby promoting the safety of the general public. (e) A person who violates subdivision (a) is civilly liable to the owner of the vehicle or his or her agent for two times the amount of the towing and storage charges.
Now I can not tell you the fees are good, bad or different from what it should be... But from your comments, it was after normal business hours so you would have the Towing fee, mileage fee, any special equipment fee (dollies, skates, go jacks ) PLUS what is called an after hours gate fee which is imposed any time after (example might be a bit off) 8 am to 5 PM Monday though Friday excluding holidays.
Then there might be a daily storage fee (ground rental ) for the time that the vehicle is there. Yes it may be only 1 hr or 23 hours its still there..
As to laws on fees, well there are not really any fees in some areas, but there are a few cities that have enacted laws regarding the fees to be charged. Some of them have adopted the California Highway Patrol rates as that are allowable fees...
Time of retrieval well there is one thing, you can always get the vehicle back, you just have to pay extra fees for people to come in and do the paperwork and let it out...
(remember if you call a plumber out at night they charge extra for the response after normal business hours {just an example})
Now San Diego Police have an officer who handles towing complaints. contact SDPD Towing Officer: C.O. Beth Riley (619) 531-2242 if you feel you were wronged. But remember that Fire Lane violations are real specific and serious... There can be parking tickets and fines from either or Both the Police and Fire Departments for this ..
Hope that gives you some guidance
