New laws, rules and rates that affect people whose cars were towed, newest first. Each item is our own short summary with a link to the official source.
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SPD General Order 536.02, dated March 5, 2026, sets how officers handle stored, impounded, recovered stolen and evidence vehicles, including an inventory of every towed car's contents. It also restates that a private tow company must release a car right away if the owner returns before it leaves the property.
Order dated March 5, 2026.
Source: SPD General Order 536.02 (City PDF)
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Under the City's 2024 tow rotation agreements, a regular police tow costs at most $235 (one-hour minimum) and storage at most $60 a day, both paid to the tow company. The $180 vehicle release fee is paid to the Police Department. The agreement bars add-on fees such as postage, cleanup or dolly charges.
In effect since January 1, 2024.
Source: SPD Towed Vehicles page; SPD Tow Rotation Program page; 2024 Tow Rotation Services Agreement (sample)
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The Code Compliance tow rotation page says the City no longer pays the $50 junk-vehicle reimbursement starting January 1, 2024. Its current rotation contracts are valid through December 31, 2028.
Since January 1, 2024.
Source: Code Compliance Tow Rotation Program page
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Starting in April 2022, the City waives the Police Department's $180 towing administrative fee for income-eligible City residents (for example, a household of one earning up to $41,275). The waiver, first funded with $200,000 in American Rescue Plan money, does not cover the tow yard's charges.
Described on the City's Fine and Fee Justice page; not mentioned on SPD's towed-vehicles page.
Source: City of Sacramento, Fine and Fee Justice page; Sacramento City Express, May 2, 2022
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CapRadio reported that the Council voted against the mayor's proposal to stop towing cars and RVs used as shelter when no other place to go was available. The vote followed a December 7, 2021 code enforcement operation in which the City towed 18 vehicles.
News report; we have not yet read the Council record.
Source: CapRadio, Dec. 16, 2021
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