QuestionI parked in an apartment complex to pick up my best friend who had to go to the emergency room to make a long story short, this apartment complex has assigned parking for tenants and there are spots for visitors. I parked in a spot that had no number or sign or anything so I thought it was for anyone and since my friend had to go to the hospital I knew I wouldn't be long just to get out and help her in the car. By the time I got downstairs my car was being towed. Is it legal to tow a car (San Diego) when there is no notice with all of the verbiage about Civil Code Section ...... etc. I even asked my friend if that was assigned parking and she didn't even know.
AnswerWell since California changed the laws regarding towing from private property in January of 2007 there have been some problems with signage and also how long vehicles can be parked before its towed. However they are still allowed to tow vehicles from fire lanes and such without warning..
Now a "UNMARKED or NON NUMBERED " space tends to say that its not a authorized space to me. (but then I am a tow truck driver)
Tow trucks operate on the principle that someone calls for the vehicle to be removed and they respond usually..Granted there are the ones that have contracts to patrol (drive though) and look for violations.
I understand that you were trying to help a friend get to the ER, but in all honesty, the tow truck driver or apartment manager has no way of knowing what the vehicle is there for... All they know is that its not supposed to be where its at right then.
That is the biggest problem in the towing industry, as cars do not say they belong in such and such space, or they are just unloading stuff in the fire lane or that it will only be a minute till they are back...
I hope that you were able to get the vehicle released before they towed it away to the towing company yard, as that is a lot more expensive when it is gone than when they are still in the complex..
