Council committee approves caps on towing fees
Sep 20, 2012, 6:34 AM | Updated: 8:03 am
The Seattle City Council is set to limit the amount tow companies can charge for removing cars from private property (AP file)
(AP file)
A Seattle City Council committee has passed a measure limiting the amount tow companies can charge for cars towed from private property.
The move follows a number of highly publicized cases of people facing fees of $1,000 or more to get their cars back from towing companies.
Under the new cap approved by the City Council’s Government Performance and Finance Committee, fees would be limited to $183 per hour for the first hour of an impound tow off private property, and $130 for any additional time. It also limits storage rates to $15.50 for up to 12 hours.
“This legislation protects consumers by setting a fair maximum rate for impounds off private property. It is reasonable to charge for illegal parking on private property, however, people shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant fees to recover their vehicle,” says Councilmember Nick Licata.
The measure now goes to the full council, where it’s expected to pass.
“We should all be so lucky as to never be towed, but if we do get towed, it should be a fair rate that represents fair compensation for the tow truck operator and not punitive or predatory,” said Councilmember Sally Clark.
Currently, there are no legal limits on what towing companies can charge to remove cars from private property. The new rules would go into effect in January 2013.
KIRO Reporter Kim Shepard contributed to this report.
