FOUNTAIN VALLEY : City Gives Initial to Revised Towing Law

The City Council has given preliminary approval to a revised ordinance that places tighter restrictions on how towing companies operate in the city and how much they can charge a motorist for towing away an illegally parked vehicle.

Under the new ordinance, a motorist who catches a tow truck driver before his or her car is hauled away cannot be charged more than $50 to unhook the car, or what is called a “letdown fee.”

The current ordinance places no restrictions on letdown fees.

Police Officer Chris Andrews said that the new ordinance also will allow the Police Department to conduct background checks of towing companies and their drivers.

It also requires companies to obtain a city permit to operate.

Andrews said the ordinance also will require towing companies to carry a $1-million liability insurance policy if they tow for the Police Department.

Although the amount billed for vehicles actually being towed will not be affected, towing companies will have to notify the city of their towing charges and will be required to post those charges at their place of business, as well as let the city know of rate changes.

Police Lt. Larry Griswold told the council Tuesday that the city’s current ordinance regulating towing companies and drivers was written in 1968 and last revised in 1983.

“It was discovered that our existing regulations were outdated and did not cover all of the newer activities in which tow companies now engage,” he said.

Griswold said that as a result the city’s ordinance was rewritten and now covers areas that relate to towing companies doing business in the city.

The ordinance now spells out the process in which a towing company can become an official police tow.

The Police Department currently uses two towing companies, Best Towing and Transportation in Huntington Beach and A & B Towing in Costa Mesa.

Police officials said the new ordinance will give the Police Department the added tools necessary to assure quality towing and fair towing services within the city. Final approval is expected at the council’s March 7 meeting.