History of towing in San Diego
How towing rules in San Diego 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.
A Council policy on police tow trucks (1963 to 2016)
The City Council adopts Council Policy 500-03, 'Tow Trucks - Police Requested' (Resolution R-176968).
Source: Council Policy 500-03, history
The Council amends the tow truck policy (Resolutions R-180314, R-185159 and R-253998).
Source: Council Policy 500-03, history
The Council amends Council Policy 500-03 again (Resolution R-307651).
Source: Council Policy 500-03, history
SDPD's last comprehensive towing update to the Council before the 2022 audit, according to the City Auditor.
Source: City Auditor report OCA-23-005
The police impound and post-storage hearing sections are renumbered as Municipal Code sections 82.32 to 82.35 (Ordinance O-20281).
Procedures, the audit and its follow-up (2017 to 2024)
City tows fall 39%, while parking complaints rise, according to the City Auditor.
Source: City Auditor report OCA-23-005
SDPD issues Department Procedure 7.08 on towing and impounds, including its definition of predatory private tows.
Source: SDPD Procedure 7.08
The Council postpones increases to the towing program's administrative fees; the Auditor estimates about $1 million in lost revenue for FY2023.
Source: City Auditor report OCA-23-005
The City Auditor issues its towing audit, finding 'disproportionate impact tows' 3 to 5 times more likely to end in a lien sale.
Source: City Auditor report OCA-23-005
inewsource reports SDPD kept ordering registration, 72-hour and unpaid-ticket tows at about the same rate after the audit.
From a news report
Source: inewsource, July 6, 2023
The City Attorney publishes a 'Know Your Rights' alert on private-property tows.
Source: City Attorney consumer alert
SDPD presents a towing program report to the Public Safety Committee; the Auditor later finds errors in it.
Source: City Auditor follow-up report
Fee increase and the registration-tow policy (2025 to 2026)
The City's Tow Impound Cost Recovery Fee rises from $63 to $115 per impound.
The Public Safety Committee unanimously forwards amendments to Council Policy 500-03 to the full Council.
Source: City Auditor follow-up report
KPBS reports 6,533 SDPD tows in 2025 for registration expired more than six months.
From a news report
Source: KPBS, June 29, 2026
The amended Council Policy 500-03, now 'Police-Initiated Towing', takes effect (Resolution R-316931): cite instead of tow for registration expired over six months.
Source: Council Policy 500-03
For the rates over the years, see tow and storage rates. Know a record that belongs here? Email corrections@towedhelp.org.
Last checked .