Public safety committee delays vote on towing and storage fee increases after members cite short notice

The Richmond City Public Safety Standing Committee voted to continue consideration of an ordinance that would amend city code for towing and storage fees related to private‑property tows.

Lynn Lancaster of the Department of General Services told the committee the proposed ordinance (ordinance 20-25-2-22) would update city code section 27‑302 to align private‑property towing and storage fees with state rates. Lancaster said the towing advisory board met on Aug. 7 and recommended the changes. “The state is $2.10, but ours is $1.95. We're increasing from $1.35 to $1.95 as you see in item a,” Lancaster said.

Key provisions the staff presentation identified include raising the trespass towing maximum fee from $1.35 to $1.95 per day, increasing the fee for tows occurring between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. from $25 to $30, raising the maximum overnight storage charge after 24 hours from $45 to $50, increasing the maximum administrative fee from $50 to $75, and capping after‑hours release fees at $35. Lancaster said the state increased its rates effective January 2025 and that private‑property towers requested parity with state rates. She noted that payments to operators must be accepted in cash, certified check, money order or credit card as required by Virginia law.

Several committee members said they received the ordinance less than 24 hours before the meeting and asked for more time to review a measure with fiscal impact to residents. One committee member said the item had been introduced only the previous day, which contributed to the timing. The committee voted to continue the ordinance for 60 days; the continuation will move the item to the Nov. 25 Public Safety Standing Committee meeting. The record shows Councilwoman Abu Bakr and Chair Chad Trammell voting “Aye.”

No members of the public spoke for or against the ordinance at the committee hearing.