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Aldermen approve cap on towing fees

Posted on August 7, 2008 by Staff

by Susan Dickson
Staff Writer

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen last week voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that limits the fees charged for towing cars from private property.

The move comes amid a towing controversy at Abbey Court Apartments, where in July management began towing vehicles that were parked in the apartment complex’s lot without permits. Many residents, however, were denied parking permits because their cars were dented, needed paint or had a cracked windshield. Residents are also required to present documentation that they are a leaseholder or authorized occupant, as well as vehicle registration information.

Management recently announced that they had relaxed their vehicle permitting policy and asked residents who had been denied parking permits due to vehicle appearance to reapply. Residents of Abbey Court have said management unfairly discriminates against Latino residents, many of whom are working class and can’t afford to fix their cars.

Aldermen Dan Coleman and Jacquie Gist called a special meeting to consider the fee ordinance, which is similar to one enacted by Chapel Hill earlier this year.

“It gives us no pleasure to have to come here tonight and create this regulation and to place the burden on our staff of enforcing it,” Coleman said. “I want to put the message out that I would certainly, and I think this board would, much prefer that businesses regulate themselves responsibly … and be more caring in the way they relate to people.”

Under the ordinance, towing companies can charge no more than $100 for a vehicle removed from private property. The ordinance also limits storage fees for towed vehicles to $20 per day, with no fees charged in the first 24 hours.

To unhook a car from a tow truck before leaving a property, tow truck operators can charge a maximum of $50. If a vehicle has not been attached prior to the arrival of a vehicle’s driver, no fee may be charged.

The ordinance also states that towing companies must accept payment by credit or debit card in addition to cash. Tow truck operators must report vehicle removals to the Carrboro Police Department within 30 minutes of storing a vehicle.

“I’m very hopeful that between the actions that this board has taken tonight … and the actions that the Abbey Court homeowners’ association is currently considering that this will put the parking issues at Abbey Court … at rest for a time,” Mayor Mark Chilton said. “The fact is, we’re a town that values everyone in our community.”

Gist said she was proud of the work of the town in dealing with this issue and that she was also “very, very proud of the residents at Abbey Court. It takes a lot when you’re kind of scared and you feel marginalized to stand up for yourself.”

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