Towing Issues: Recently Towed From a gated Apartment Complex, small claims court, owner management

Question
I recently got my car towed just a few days ago (9/23/2006) in
Riverside, and was wondering if the tow was indeed justifiable and legal. I
parked in the brand new apartment complex Friday evening, approximately at
10 pm. I discovered that my car was towed at 1 pm the following
afternoon. The person who called in for the tow was the owner of the lease of
that parking spot. There was no sign at the gate. The apartment complex
does have a contract with the towing company. My car was towed to San
Bernardino for good measure. I was wondering if this was a legal tow. I
was under the assumption that you had to be the property owner
(Management of the Complex?) to authorize a tow. Please help!  

Answer
Ok  well sounds like there might be a provision in the leases for the tenant to call, but thats usually not allowed.  
Management usually call for the tows, under the laws of California.
Gated communities usually have signs at the gate, but sometimes they are at other locations throughout the complex.


Now the towing to San Bernardino, that is still allowed right now .. The change of laws effective Jan 07 will restrict that.. Which will cause a lot of problems. Towers are only allowed to have yards in certain zoned areas. But thats beside the point..

Now as to the legal aspect, it sounds a bit funny since the tenant called and authorized to me. But if you feel that its still not legal you always can investigate the tows and if you feel you were wronged you have the small claims court route.