Towed in Sacramento Library

History of towing in Sacramento

How towing rules in Sacramento took shape: ordinances, contracts, court rulings and state laws, in date order. Every entry links to its source.

How to read this timeline. Entries are in date order. Most rest on a court opinion, a law or a government record. Entries marked "Not yet verified" rest on one secondary or self-reported source, and entries marked "From a news report" rest on news coverage. We leave out private people's names and accusations against companies that have no published outcome.

Fines and fees reform and shelter-vehicle tows (2020 to 2022)

  1. Sacramento is chosen as one of ten places for the national Cities and Counties for Fine and Fee Justice cohort.

    Source: Fine and Fee Justice page

  2. Civil rights and homelessness groups ask the Council to pause non-safety tows during the COVID-19 emergency.

    Not yet verified An advocacy letter; we found no City action adopting it.

    Source: Advocates' letter to the Council

  3. A code enforcement operation in north Sacramento tows 18 vehicles, according to CapRadio.

    From a news report

    Source: CapRadio, Dec. 16, 2021

  4. The Council votes down the mayor's proposal to ban towing vehicles used as shelter when no shelter is available.

    From a news report

    Source: CapRadio, Dec. 16, 2021

  5. The City begins waiving SPD's $180 towing administrative fee for income-eligible residents, as a pilot paid with $200,000 in federal relief funds.

    Source: Fine and Fee Justice page; City Express, May 2, 2022

New rotation agreements and rates (2023 to 2026)

  1. The City's parking fine schedule lists a $100 boot removal fee.

    Source: Parking Violations Fines and Penalties

  2. Deadline for tow companies to apply for SPD rotation agreements starting January 1, 2024.

    Source: SPD Tow Rotation Program page

  3. New rotation rates take effect: $235 per tow and $60 a day storage. Code Compliance stops its $50 junk-vehicle payment.

    Source: SPD Towed Vehicles page; Code Compliance Tow Rotation page

  4. SPD issues the current version of General Order 536.02 on vehicle towing and release.

    Source: SPD General Order 536.02

  5. Scheduled end of the current Code Compliance tow rotation contracts.

    Source: Code Compliance Tow Rotation page

For the rates over the years, see tow and storage rates. Know a record that belongs here? Email corrections@towedhelp.org.

Last checked .