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To amend City Code § 27-302, concerning towing and storage fees, for the purpose of modifying the limits on fees charged for the towing, storage, and safekeeping of certain vehicles removed from private property.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That section 27-302 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020) be and is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 27-302. Towing and storage fees.
(a) The maximum fee that may be charged for removing or towing passenger cars, trailers and other vehicles of less than 10,000 pounds gross weight from private property, at the request of the owner of the property and without the permission of the owner of such a vehicle is [$135.00] $195.00. For towing a vehicle between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. [or on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday,] an additional fee of no more than [$25.00] $30.00 per vehicle towed may be charged. For towing a vehicle on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, an additional fee of no more than $30.00 per vehicle towed may be charged. The additional fee which stems from towing a vehicle between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and the additional fee allowed for towing a vehicle on any Saturday, Sunday or a holiday may only be charged per occurrence and not per day.
(b) The maximum fee that may be charged for the storage of such passenger cars, trailers and other vehicles is [$45.00] $50.00 per 24-hour period. However, no fee for the storage of such passenger cars, trailers and other vehicles may be charged for the first 24-hour period, nor for any period during which recovery was prevented because the towing and recovery business was closed.
(c) The maximum fee that may be charged for vehicles released at the scene or as a “drop fee” is $40.00. This fee may only be charged when the person conducting the towing has already hooked up the vehicle but has not yet removed the vehicle from private property and the vehicle's owner or vehicle owner's agent arrives to claim the vehicle and pay this fee. The person conducting the towing must release the vehicle to the vehicle's owner or the vehicle owner's agent in return for the payment of this fee.
(d) The maximum fee that may be charged for administrative fees is [$50.00] $75.00. This fee may only be charged when the vehicle has been left in the tow lot over 72 hours.
(e) An after-hours release fee, not to exceed $35.00, may be charged for vehicles released between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. No other fees, liens or towing, storing or administrative costs may be charged.
(f) [Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor] Individuals or business entities which take payment for the fees cited in this section shall give the person making the payment, or their representative, a receipt which clearly itemizes the fees paid.
(g) Towing and recovery operators shall, for payment of the fees cited in this section, accept cash, certified checks, money orders, or credit cards as required by Code of Virginia § 46.2-118(B)(8).
(h) Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 46.2-1233.1(B), Council shall direct the Towing Advisory Board to periodically review and recommend adjustments to the fees established in this ordinance.
(i) Any person violating the provisions of subsections (a) through (f) of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: August 11, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Tanikia Jackson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Finance and Administration
THROUGH: Richard Edwards, Chief of Police
FROM: Gail Johnson, Director of General Services
RE: TO AMEND CITY CODE CONCERNING TOWING AND STORAGE FEES FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY
ORD. OR RES. No. Ordinance No. 2017-198 (Richmond Code 27-302)
PURPOSE: To amend Section 27-302 of the City Code for Towing and Storage of Fees from private property for the purpose of making the City Code comparable to the State Code § 46.2-1233.1.
BACKGROUND: VA Code § 46.2-1233.1 outlines the limitation on charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles. Section 27-302 of the City Code specifies fees for Towing and Storage from private property.
Richmond Code § 27-302. - Towing and storage fees.
(a) The maximum fee that may be charged for removing or towing passenger cars, trailers and other vehicles of less than 10,000 pounds gross weight from private property, at the request of the owner of the property and without the permission of the owner of such a vehicle is $ [135.00] 195.00. For towing a vehicle between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. [or on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday,] an additional fee of no more than $ [25.00 ]30.00 per vehicle towed may be charged. Also, for towing a vehicle on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, an additional fee of no more than $ 30.00 per vehicle towed may be charged. The additional fee which stems from towing a vehicle between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and/or the additional fee allowed for towing a vehicle on any Saturday, Sunday or a holiday may only be charged per occurrence and not per day.
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(b) The maximum fee that may be charged for the storage of such passenger cars, trailers and other vehicles is $ [45.00] 50.00 per 24-hour period. However, no fee for the storage of such passenger cars, trailers and other vehicles may be charged for the first 24-hour period , nor for any period during which recovery was prevented because the towing and recovery business was closed.
(c) The maximum fee that may be charged for vehicles released at the scene or as a "drop fee" is $40.00. This fee may only be charged when the person conducting the towing has already hooked up the vehicle but has not yet removed the vehicle from private property and the vehicle's owner or vehicle owner's agent arrives to claim the vehicle and pay this fee. The person conducting the towing must release the vehicle to the vehicle's owner or the vehicle owner's agent in return for the payment of this fee.
(d) The maximum fee that may be charged for administrative fees is $[50.00] 75.00. This fee may only be charged when the vehicle has been left in the tow lot over 72 hours.
(e) An after-hours release fee, not to exceed $35.00, may be charged for vehicles released between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. No other fees, liens or towing, storing or administrative costs may be charged.
(f) individuals or business entities which take payment for the fees cited in this section shall give the person making the payment, or their representative, a receipt which clearly itemizes the fees paid.
(g) Towing and recovery operators shall, for payment of the fees cited in this section, accept cash, certified checks, money orders, or credit cards as required by Virginia Code § 46.2-118(B)(8).
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(h) Pursuant to Virginia Code § 46.2-1233.1(B), Council shall direct the Towing Advisory Board to periodically review and recommend adjustments to the fees established in this ordinance.
(i) Any person violating the provisions of subparagraphs (a) through (f) of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The Advisory Board for the Assessment of Towing Fees and the Storage of Vehicles (Tow Board) met on August 7, 2025 and approved the proposed code amendments.
STRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: None
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: September 22, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: October 14, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Public Safety (September 23, 2025)
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Richmond Police Department and General Services
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: Ordinance No, 2017-198
ATTACHMENTS: Draft Ordinance
STAFF: Lynne Lancaster (804-646-6006)