Illegal tow practices being investigated by South Lake Tahoe police

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and the El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson are investigating possible illegal and improper predatory towing practices.

SLTPD has received several informal complaints from the public about the possible illegal tow practices that involve cars removed from private parking areas near the Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe.

The complains involve a tow company improperly holding stored vehicles longer than necessary, thus adding extra storage fees to the vehicle's owner.

The extra fees are created by:

1. Not being available during business hours to return the vehicle
2. Imposing unreasonable release requirements (such as requiring the personal
appearance of the registered owner when other legal vehicle release options exist).

SLTPD says the scam may also include towing vehicles from private parking lots before the vehicle has remained parked for more than one hour (as required by Veh. Code § 22953).

If you believe you are the victim of a predatory tow company in South Lake Tahoe, please email your story and contact information to: LMRoot@cityofslt.us.

In the event the submitted information can be used to prove illegal business practices, the violating company(s) may be held civilly and/or criminally responsible.

Applicable laws include:

Vehicle Code § 22658 applies to private property tows
• Legal signs must be posted at entrances to the parking lot;
• Upon request by owner or owner’s agent, the vehicle must be immediately released to owner if it is not yet removed from the property; however, the tow company may charge up to half of the tow fee in cases where the vehicle is already coupled to the tow truck;
• If released to the owner within 24 hours, the tow company can only charge for one day of storage regardless of the calendar date;
• Limits storage fees to days for which the tow company is open for at least 8 hours during normal business hours.

Vehicle Code § 22953 limits private property tows from parking lots
• Cannot tow a vehicle within one hour of it being parked in a free lot;
• However, it can be towed immediately if:
- It is within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in fire lane, interfering with entrance/exit, or if it is in a space designated for a disabled person; or
oIt is parked in designated parking for residential property or parked on hotel or motel property where stalls are clearly marked for a specific room.

According to local tow company listings, South Lake Tahoe Towing, Welcome's-Emerald Towing, Foot Hills Tow and D & S Towing are operating locally but there may be more that do not have online listings. Law enforcement is not releasing any more details at this time and it is unknown what the name of the company is that may be involved.