Committee asks staff to study non‑consent towing rates, seeks safeguards against predatory towing

The Transportation Infrastructure Committee on March 18 heard a briefing from Rick Riley, assistant director of the San Antonio Police Department, on a request from non‑consent towing companies for a tow‑rate increase and directed staff to produce a recommended rate adjustment and a memo addressing consumer protections and regulatory options.

Riley told the committee that non‑consent towing is regulated under Chapter 19 of the City Code and that the city’s current light‑duty non‑consent tow rate is $177. He reviewed state and local procedures that govern requests for a tow‑fee study and summarized prior city work: a 2021 request was not completed due to missing financial data; a 2023 request included financial submissions that produced no recommended increase after finance reviewed profit margins and operating costs.

Industry position and city scenarios

Michael Guerrero, representing towing interests during public comment, urged the committee to consider standardizing fees that reflect operational costs and…