Bill Text: VA SB492 | 2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Towing; increases maximum hookup and initial towing fee of any passenger car.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-19 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0363) [SB492 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SB492-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §46.2-1233.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§46.2-1233.1. Limitation on charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles.
A. Unless different limits are established by ordinance of the
local governing body pursuant to §46.2-1233, as to vehicles towed or removed
from private property, no charges imposed for the towing, storage, and
safekeeping of any passenger car removed, towed, or stored without the consent
of its owner shall be in excess of the maximum charges provided for in this
section. No hookup and initial towing fee of any passenger car shall
exceed $135 $150. For towing a vehicle between seven o'clock p.m.
and eight o'clock a.m. or on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, an additional
fee of no more than $25 per instance may be charged; however, in no event shall
more than two such fees be charged for towing any such vehicle. No charge shall
be made for storage and safekeeping for a period of twenty-four 24
hours or less. Except for fees or charges imposed by this section or a local
ordinance adopted pursuant to §46.2-1233, no other fees or charges shall be
imposed during the first 24-hour period.
B. The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance, with the advice of an advisory board established pursuant to § 46.2-1233.2, (i) provide that no towing and recovery business having custody of a vehicle towed without the consent of its owner impose storage charges for that vehicle for any period during which the owner of the vehicle was prevented from recovering the vehicle because the towing and recovery business was closed and (ii) place limits on the amount of fees charged by towing and recovery operators. Any such ordinance limiting fees shall also provide for periodic review of and timely adjustment of such limitations.
