Car Towing Laws

[Soulpieced]

Does anybody know anything about car towing laws? We have a number of idiots in my community that don't seem to understand the rules.

There are 3 types of parking spaces, Reserved, Resident Only, and Guest. Each townhouse supposedly gets 1 parking sticker, and that is for their ONE designated *Reserved* space. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that the parking space is directly in front of their home. *Resident Only* means that as long as you live in the community, you can park in that space. *Guest* means anyone (gotta have visitors park somewhere).

We have had at least 2 different people come to our place and bitch that we were parked in "their" spaces and threatened to have our vehicles towed. HOWEVER, we were appropriately parked in *Resident Only* spaces, which happen to be located close to their doorways. These are NOT the assigned *Reserved* space for that home.

I'm sure none really have the balls to, but if it came down to it and one of me or my roommates does get towed, what sort of ramifications are we looking at? We are technically not illegally parked, and I'm sure we could probably raise a serious stink and get both the towing company, and the person who filed the compaint in deep shit. I am attempting to get stickers for everyone through my landlord, but I'm curious if anyone has had an experience of being wrongfully towed.

[Edited on 1-21-2005 by Soulpieced]

[TheRoseLady]

Well, I would think that any towing would have to be ordered at the behest of the landlord/management company. Unless it's clearly illegally parked as in - Do not park here unless you have a sticker or you will be towed type sign- I don't see how any responsible towing company would even consider responding to such a request.

I've never been towed, I would clarify the parking situation with the landlord.

[HarmNone]

I'd speak to the landlord about the people who are complaining to you about having taken "their" parking spaces. Sounds like the landlord needs to clarify the parking rules for them.

[Nakiro]

They have to furnish proof of ownership of property or otherwise identify their right to the parking spot through some form of offical identification.

For example in my parking complex (which has assigned parking), each person is given a tag to hang on their rear view mirror that contains the number corresponding to their parking spot. If you want to tow someone from a spot, you have to present your mirror tag or you have to show proof of ownership (ie be the landlord).

The best spot for information is to read the posted signs. Anywhere that has private parking has either a gated enterence, a notice about private parking and towing, or both.

Otherwise ask your landlord.

[Soulpieced]

That's the thing. It's an area community, and my landlord just owns my house. He has no control over any of the other ones. But he has said we should be fine as long as we don't park in the marked Reserved spaces, and was pretty sure that we could get by without the stickers. Oh well.

[Nakiro]

Someone has to own the land you park on. Who would that be?

[Soulpieced]

Probably the Association.

[Nakiro]

Anyone in charge over there you can contact?

[Jazuela]

There should be one towing company on contract with the Association. That towing company can only tow cars if the Association lets them know to tow it, or by order of the police. Since the parking area is on private property (not on a public street), the police have no jurisdiction regarding "reserved" or "guest" or "resident" parking. They'd only order a car towed if the car violated an actual law, not a rule of the Association.

So legalities are a moot point here. What you're dealing with is neighbors who want the space closest to their door to be reserved for them. You should have a copy of the Association by-laws. If you don't, get one. You might be required to pay for it, but your landlord definitely has a copy and can probably make a copy of the page you need. Within it you will find the rules regarding parking. Copy the page with those rules and hand them to your neighbor. Be polite, remember you're stuck there til your lease runs out. You want to keep on the best terms possible with your neighbor, especially if he's an owner and not a tenant.

Apologize for any misunderstanding (even though it isn't your fault that they are ignorant idiots) - since technically, you probably ARE sorry that THEY misunderstood, right? So - apologize for the misunderstanding. Take the high road, be the "good neighbor" in the discussion. Don't give in on the space though. If it's not reserved for them specifically, it's their problem. You could even suggest something that is likely to NOT ever get done, but it'll make you look good - suggest to them that they request to the Association that the spot become reserved to them specifically. As I said, it'll probably not get done. Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt. Associations are notorious for being ineffective when it comes to the little details in Condo life.

[Kainen]

The easiest thing to do is to call your local law enforcement agency (PD, sheriff's office) and ask about the private property impound laws for your state.. ie.. if they have to have signs posted, can they tow without the the manager of the condo being there to sign for it ect. Next thing I would do is to call a towing co. in your area and ask them about it. Having answered for and dispatched for a couple of towing companies I can tell you that it's expensive to have a private property impound done, whether it's someone on a business lot, parked in a private parking space or even in someone's driveway. Not to mention that if it was wrongfully towed, the people that had it towed and (more likely) the towing company could be liable. Now this is just for California.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

I would sonic disrupt them.