Committee forwards ordinance to raise private‑property towing and storage fee limits to full council

The Public Safety Standing Committee on Nov. 1 voted to send Ordinance 2025-2-22 to the Richmond City Council with a recommendation to approve changes to the city code governing towing and storage fees for vehicles removed from private property.

The measure, introduced by Lynn Lancaster of the Department of General Services, would amend Section 27-302 of the city code to make local limits comparable to state law. Key changes described during the committee presentation include raising the maximum private‑property tow fee (Lancaster said it increases from $135 to $195) and increasing an administrative fee charged by the contracted tow operator from $50 to $75. The ordinance also would require companies or representatives who accept payment to provide a receipt that clearly itemizes fees paid, a change the tow board recommended to address recurring complaints about unclear receipts.

Lancaster told the committee the ordinance is separate from the city’s contract with Manchester Marketing, doing business as Cypress Towing, and that the city would not receive revenue from the fee changes. No members of the public spoke at the hearing on the ordinance; the committee closed the public hearing and approved a motion to forward the ordinance to full council.

The committee recorded affirmative votes during the roll call. The ordinance will proceed to Council for final consideration and any additional amendments.

Next steps: the ordinance will appear on a future City Council agenda for final action. The committee did not identify an effective date in its discussion.