HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 35-2025 (25-197)City of South San Francisco
City Council
Resolution: RES 35-2025
P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400
Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
File Number: 25-197 Enactment Number: RES 35-2025
RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INCREASE TO THE SOUTH
SAN FRANCISCO TOW SERVICES RATES TO THE
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE TOWING RATES THAT ARE
COMPARABLE TO OTHER POLICE AGENCIES IN
NORTHERN SAN MATEO COUNTY.
WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco (City) currently regulates tow services, including the services
responding to police -generated tows, through Chapter 6.64 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code (SSFMC); and
WHEREAS, the South San Francisco Police Department (SSFPD) has a regular and ongoing need to have
vehicles towed and removed from public roadways for multiple reasons; and
WHEREAS, to facilitate the towing of these vehicles, SSFPD engages in the services of local towing
companies through the Rotational Tow Program, utilizing three towing companies; and
WHEREAS, SSFMC 6.64.020 explains the purpose of having a tow agreement is to "regulate the operation
of tow vehicles in this city in the interest of public safety, welfare, convenience and necessity, and to provide for
orderly removal of vehicles from public roadways and private property"; and
WHEREAS, regulations include towing experience, insurance, controlled substance and alcohol testing,
storage yards located in the City or within 3 miles of City limits, maximum response times, safeguarding
vehicles/property once towed, and setting the maximum rates tow companies charge for police -generated public and
private property tows; and
WHEREAS, the maximum rate companies can charge for tow service fees are determined by the police
department after considering several steps listed in SSFMC Chapter 6.64; and
WHEREAS, steps involve consulting with a designated person who represents the three rotational tow
companies in the City, comparing tow service fees of other cities in northern San Mateo County whose tow companies
provide similar service; and
WHEREAS, SSFPD met with the designated representative and discussed proposed adjustments to the tow
service fees to remain consistent with fees charged in other jurisdictions in northern San Mateo County; and
WHEREAS, the current fee in the City for a basic tow is $225 per hour, and that amount has not been
adjusted since 2016; and
WHEREAS, SSFPD conducted a survey of police departments in northern San Mateo County which
showed an average Basic Tow Fee of $323 per hour; and
WHEREAS, SSFPD determined that increasing the Basic Tow Fee from $225 an hour to $325 an hour will
make the fees in the City comparable with the neighboring jurisdictions in northern San Mateo County; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the Basic Tow Fee, there are several other fees associated with properly towing
and storing a vehicle; and
City of South San Francisco
File Number: 25-197 Enactment Number: RES 35-2025
WHEREAS, SSFPD is also proposing an adjustment of the associated fees to reflect the current market rate
for similar service in northern San Mateo County; and
WHEREAS, a survey was also conducted comparing the associated fees of the same neighboring
jurisdictions and it showed the proposed South San Franciso rates were consistent with the average costs of the cities;
and
WHEREAS, the current tow services and fees are listed in Attachment A, while the proposed rate
adjustments for the same towing services are listed in Attachment B; and
WHEREAS, it is important to note that none of the proposed fees are paid to the City, but instead are costs
paid to the tow companies when they are summoned to remove a vehicle at the request of SSFPD; and
WHEREAS, there is no budget impact with the proposed adjustments to the maximum allowable rates
associated with police -generated tow services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco hereby
review and adopt the proposed rate adjustments for the fees associated with police -generated tow services pursuant to
SSFMC 6.64.105, attached herewith as Exhibit A and B.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute the tow service
increase on behalf of the City of South San Francisco.
At a meeting of the City Council on 3/26/2025, a motion was made by Councilmember Nicolas,
seconded by Councilmember Addiego, that this Resolution be approved. The motion passed.
Yes: 5 Mayor Flores, Vice Mayor Addiego, Councilmember Nagales,
Councili)jember Coleman, and Councilmember Nicolas
Attest by
Govea Acosta, City Clerk
City of South San Francisco
a-r�Ac�cnEaY A
City of South San -Francisco $'� �►.
Police Department o�
Tow Services _ MaAMum Allowable Fees
Effective July 1, 2023
This notice is for information only; it is not a bill or a statement of expenses incurred. The listed maximum
allowable fees were established pursuant to South San Francisco Municipal Code 6.64.105.. The rates apply
only to vehicles towed by order or request of the South San Fran6sco'Poli.ce Department. In addition to the
listed fees, the tow company may add.additional lien fees and charges if you leave your vehicle at their storage
facility in excess of 72.hours. Tow companies are required to accept valid bank credit cards or cash for
payment of.all fees: -Tow. companies are required to post this list of maximum, allowable fees in a clear and
publicly -accessible location within their business office. If you believe that you have. been unfairly charged,
please contact the South San Francisco Police Department, Traffic Division, at 650-829-3934.
Basic Tow: (includes winching; towing, etc. up to 1 hour)
$225.00
Flatbed Fee:
$35.00
Dolly fee:
$35.00
Motorcycle Fee:
$25.00
Class `S" — Medium Duty Tow:
05.0.00/hour
Class ."C" — Heap Duty Tow:
$450.00/hour
Class "D" — Super Heavy Duty To
$475.00/hour
Basic Vehicle Storage Fee*: (Vehicles 22 feet in length or less)
$60.00/day
Oversize Vehicle Storage Fee*: (Vehicles over 22 feet in length)
$90.00/day.
Service. Call: (lockout, tire changes, battery jumps, or fuel delivery")
$75.OQ .
Vehicle & Property Releases: (during regular business hours)
No Charge
Vehicle Pull -Outs for Disabled Vehicles in Storage Yard:
No Charge
After-hours Vehicle & Property Releases: (Between 5:00pm and
$75.00
8:00am; on All weekends; and on all legal holidays.
*Vehicle Storage Fees only apply once the vehicle has been placed in the tow operator's storage yard. Vehicles stored less
than 24 hours may only be charged for one day of storage, regardless of the calendar days. Vehicles stored longer than 24
hours may be charged on a calendar -day basis thereafter per 3068.1 of the Califomia Civil Code:
**Fuel delivery does not include the price of the fuel itself. The tow operator may charge the current market rate (without
any upcharge).per gallon for the fuel.
Vehicle Code section 22850.5 authorizes a City charge a fee equal to its administrative costs for the
removal, impound, storage, or release of a towed vehicle. Pursuant to City Resolution #12-95 this fee
has been so enacted. This fee shall not apply to victims where their vehicle was reported stolen at the
time the vehicle was towed.
Vehicle Release Fee to Police DeRartment: $156.00
(Cash, credit card; money order, or cashier's check only — no personal checks are accepted)
Attachment B
IL
City of South San Francisco Police Department
Tow Services — Maximum Allowable Fees
This notice is for information only; it is not a bill or a statement of expense incurred. The listed
maximum allowable fees were established pursuant to South San Francisco Municipal Code 6.64.105.
The rates apply only to vehicles towed by order or request of the South San Francisco Police Department.
In addition to the listed fees, the tow company may add additional lien fees and charges if you leave your
vehicle at their storage facility in excess of 72 hours. Tow companies are required to accept valid bank
credit cards or cash for payment of all fees. Tow companies are required to post this list of maximum
allowable fees in a clear and publicly accessible location within their business office. If you believe that
you have been unfairly charged, please contact the South San Francisco Police Department, Traffic
Division, at (650) 829-3934.
Basic Tow (including winching, towing, etc. up to 1 hour):
$325.00
Flatbed Fee:
$60.00
Dolly Fee:
$60.00
Motorcycle Fee:
$40.00
Class "B" — Medium Duty Tow:
$487.00/hour
Class "C" — Heavy Duty Tow:
$690,00/hour
Class "D" — Super Heavy Duty Tow:
$780.00/hour
Basic Vehicle Storage Fee (vehicles 22 feet of length or less):
$105.00/day
Oversize Vehicle Storage Fee (vehicles over 22 feet in length):
$115.00/day
Service Call (lockout, tire changes, battery jumps, or fuel delivery):
$75.00
Vehicle & Property Releases (regular business hours):
No Charge
Vehicle Pull -Outs for Disabled Vehicles in Storage Yard:
No Charge
After -Hours Vehicle and Property Releases:
$160.00
*Vehicle Storage fees only apply once the vehicle has been placed in the tow operator's storage yard, Vehicles
stored less that 24 hours may only be charged for one day of storage, regardless of the calendar days. Vehicles
stored longer than 24 hours may be charged on a calendar -day basis thereafter per 3068.1 of the California Civil
Code.
*Fuel delivery does not include the price of the fuel itself. The tow operator may charge the current market rate
(without any upcharge) per gallon for the fuel.
*Vehicle Code section 22850.5 authorizes a City to charge a fee equal to its administrative costs for the removal,
impound, storage, or release of a towed vehicle. Pursuant to City Resolution #12-95 this fee has been so enacted.
This fee shall not apply to victims where their vehicle was reported stolen at the time the vehicle was towed.
Current Vehicle Release Fee: $160.00
Updated 312025