Tow fees charged by police-contracted tow companies
Summary
The city charges contracted tow companies $70 per police-referral tow, including junk and low-value hauls nobody will ever claim — a cost tow operators say is unfair since they lose money cleaning up city streets. Meanwhile, the towing and storage rates companies may charge haven't budged in about a decade and sit 30–50% below area averages. The committee wants data and a fee comparison before deciding whether to change either.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
Reducing the $70 fee would shift tow-related police costs onto the general fund; raising company towing and storage rates would raise costs for vehicle owners whose cars are towed.
Contracted tow companies, who say current rates leave them losing money on police tows and junk removals.
Vehicle owners could face higher towing and storage charges if rates rise; taxpayers could foot the bill if the city fee is cut without offsetting revenue.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee — October 21, 2026
The committee was scheduled to review the fees tow companies can charge when contracting with the Riverside Police Department, comparing Riverside's rates to other local cities as of July 2026. These rates directly affect drivers whose vehicles are towed after collisions, arrests, or parking violations.
Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee — June 17, 2026
The city charges contracted tow companies $70 per police-referral tow, including junk and low-value hauls nobody will ever claim — a cost tow operators say is unfair since they lose money cleaning up city streets. Meanwhile, the towing and storage rates companies may charge haven't budged in about a decade and sit 30–50% below area averages. The committee wants data and a fee comparison before deciding whether to change either.
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