Towing Issues: towed by roving company, fire hydrant, lawful possession

Question
hi. i was towed from a private lot in los angeles from a roving tow company (late at night). did he need consent/or a call from the lots owner? also, i was parked for half and hour. doesnt the law require a 1 hour wait, unless im parked in handicap or by a hydrant? the aggressive driver demanded $180. he didnt have the car connected even (was in process of putting something on front tire. how can i know the companys tow rate (they cant charge more than half correct?). thanks

Answer
Ok  your comment on the 1 hour law is very common as almost everyone knows it, but not always all the facts of it.  
here is a copy of the laws, and notice it also mentions numbered spaces or specifically marked spaces.

Removal Prohibited


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.


Now California also has proposed law changes regarding the rules and regulations dealing with Private Property Impounds.  The rules will change Jan 1 2007.

Now as to the rates and the half price drop fee. You are right there is a provision in the laws which allow that..
Section (h) in the Vehicle code 22953 reads as follows

(h) A towing company may impose a charge of not more than one-half of the regular towing charge for the towing of a vehicle at the request of the owner of private property or that owner's agent pursuant to this section if the owner of the vehicle or the owner's agent returns to the vehicle before it is removed from the private property. The regular towing charge may only be imposed after the vehicle has been removed from the property and is in transit.


Now as I see it, they can even charge if they are on the lot, and not hooked up or partially hooked up. Nothing says they have to be attached. I do believe that will be one of the new law changes though.
As to "the aggressive driver" demanding the $ 180.00 there is no way to know what the fee would of been at the towing yard if it had made it there, but rates do tend to be high when towed as a private property impound, as they are compared to normal break down towing services.

You should be able to find out the impound rate either by contacting the towing service, or it may be on file with the local police department.

I hope this helps you ..