Bloomington may increase towing fee limits, end partial payment option, start storage clock quicker

Revisions to two local laws related to towing are scheduled for a possible vote at the Dec. 3 meeting of the Bloomington city council. That’s the regular Wednesday meeting, in the week after Thanksgiving.

Both proposals increase the cap on the fee that can be charged by private towing companies for a tow—from $135 to $150. One law covers tows that have been requested by the city—to clear a crash scene, and remove an abandoned or illegally parked vehicle, among other reasons.

The other proposal covers non-consensual tows—those initiated by private property owners who have posted signs indicating that parking is not allowed, among other scenarios.

The staff memos from the legal department highlight the purpose of the changes as bringing the charges into alignment with the fees charged by other jurisdictions—like Monroe County, the State of Indiana, and Indiana University. The background material provided to the city council in its meeting information packet does not include towing fee schedules for any of those jurisdictions.

Not mentioned in the undated staff memos are some changes to the existing laws, which are apparent in the red-line versions, that would have an impact on motorists whose cars have been towed.

For both city-initiated tows and other non-consensual tows, an option for a motorist to get their car released without paying the full amount would be eliminated. Currently, the local laws say the vehicle has to be released when proof of ownership is demonstrated and when fees are paid, or upon “payment of twenty percent of the fees and execution of a payment agreement for the fee balance.” The proposals that the city council is being asked to approve would eliminate the 20% payment option.

Also a part of both proposals is a quicker clock for the start of storage fees. For city-initiated tows and other non-consensual tows alike, the current law says that storage fees can’t start to accrue until 24 hours after the vehicle arrives at the storage facility. Both proposals reduce that period to 12 hours. The proposals would also add the ability of a company to add a $75 fee for pickup outside of business hours.

Also a part of the proposals are increases to fees for various special-treatments like the use of dollies or skates, and winching. The ordinance revision for licensing of towing companies would add a requirement for a background check on the company to ensure the company does not have any violations from any jurisdiction outside of the city of Bloomington within the last 12 months or have any outstanding fees.