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Back to search resultsBill 150765

Amending Section 9-605 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Towing," by clarifying when storage fees can be charged and accrued, under certain terms and conditions.

AI summary

The enacted ordinance amends Philadelphia’s towing rules to clarify that storage fees are charged based on each 24-hour period, with partial days charged proportionally. It sets towing and storage fees by vehicle weight for vehicles towed through the city’s rotational towing system or from private lots, affecting towing companies and vehicle owners.

File details

Status
ENACTED
Introduced
October 15, 2015
Sponsors
Darrell L. ClarkeWilliam K. Greenlee
View official record ↗

Full text

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. Section 9-605 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 9-600. SERVICE AND OTHER BUSINESSES.

§9-605. Towing.

(4)

Rotation method of tow truck selection.

(h)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section other than subsections (15) and (16) (relating to towing of stolen vehicles), the following towing and storage fees shall apply with respect to vehicles towed under the rotational towing system (the listed towing fees include the Enforcement Agency's fifteen dollar ($15) administrative fee):

Weight of vehicle

Towing fee

Storage fee (per 24 hour day)

Under 11,000 pounds

$175

$25

11,000 to 17,000 pounds

$250

$40

Over 17,000 pounds

$360

$75

Storage fees shall be accrued for each twenty-four hour day

. Where a vehicle is stored for less than twenty-four (24) hours on any day, storage fees shall be in the same proportion as the fractional part of the day the vehicle is stored.

(6)

Charges.

(a)

Charges listed in the fee schedule certified under Section 9-605(3) may be calculated by mileage, time and type of service and shall be clearly stated on the towing agreement. The maximum fee a towing company may charge for towing a disabled vehicle is sixty dollars ($60) and three dollars ($3) per mile. The maximum storage fee for a vehicle towed under this Section cannot exceed twenty-five (25) dollars per day. A day for the purposes of this Section shall be calculated on a twenty-four (24) hour basis.

Where a vehicle is stored for less than twenty-four (24) hours on any day, storage fees shall be in the same proportion as the fractional part of the day the vehicle is stored.

The limitations and requirements of this subsection 6(a) shall not apply to tows pursuant to a rotational system, or to fees for consensual towing.

(11)

Towing From Private Lots, Private Property and Driveways.

(b)

No towing company may charge more than the amounts set forth in subsections 9-605(11)(b)(.1) through (.3) for towing and storage of a vehicle pursuant to this subsection 9-605(11). Neither the towing company, owner of the property from where the vehicle was towed nor any other person may charge the vehicle owner or operator any other charges, amounts or fees in connection with the towing and storage of the vehicle. The towing company or person storing such towed vehicle may not refuse to release the vehicle based on a claim to any charges in excess of the permitted amounts.

(.1)

One hundred and seventy-five ($175.00) dollars for the towing of vehicles or combinations under 11,000 pounds (i.e. passenger vehicles, cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and light duty vans) and twenty-five ($25.00) dollars for the storage of these vehicles for each twenty-four hour period [or fraction thereof].

Where a vehicle is stored for less than twenty-four (24) hours on any day, storage fees shall be in the same proportion as the fractional part of the day the vehicle is stored.

(.2)

Two hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars for the towing of vehicles or combinations at or over 11,000 pounds up to 17,000 pounds and forty ($40.00) dollars for the storage of these vehicles for each twenty-four- hour period [or fraction thereof].

Where a vehicle is stored for less than twenty-four (24) hours on any day, storage fees shall be in the same proportion as the fractional part of the day the vehicle is stored.

(.3)

Three hundred and sixty ($360.00) dollars for the towing of vehicles or combinations at or over 17,000 pounds and seventy-five ($75.00) dollars for the storage of these vehicles for each twenty-four-hour period [or fraction thereof].

Where a vehicle is stored for less than twenty-four (24) hours on any day, storage fees shall be in the same proportion as the fractional part of the day the vehicle is stored.

.

SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately.

________________________________

Explanation:

[Brackets] indicate matter deleted.

Italics

indicate new matter added.

End

File history

Sometimes city council's record keeping is not complete. This timeline reflects the information on the council's legistar website.
  1. Council actionMAYOR

    Signed

  2. Council actionCITY COUNCIL

    Read and ordered placed on next week's second reading calendar

    Council actionCITY COUNCIL

    Suspend the rules of the council

    Pass
    Council actionCITY COUNCIL

    Ordered placed on this day`s first reading calendar

  3. Council actionCommittee on Streets and Services

    Reported favorably, rule suspension requested

    Council actionCommittee on Streets and Services

    Amended

    Council actionCommittee on Streets and Services

    Hearing held

    Council actionCommittee on Streets and Services

    Hearing notices sent

  4. Council actionCITY COUNCIL

    Introduced and Referred

    Pass