History of towing in San Francisco
How towing rules in San Francisco 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.
Contracted towing and AutoReturn (1987 to 2015)
San Francisco begins contracting out towing, storage and lien-sale support, according to a 2016 SFMTA Board resolution.
Source: SFMTA Board Resolution 16-024
AutoReturn begins providing towing services for the City, as later City resolutions state.
SFMTA signs a towing, storage and lien-sale contract with AutoReturn, later extended to March 31, 2016. About 71,000 cars were towed in 2005.
Source: SFMTA Board Resolution 16-024
After the Port picks a developer for Pier 70, the long-term storage and auction area moves from Pier 70 to 2650 Bayshore Blvd. in Daly City (lease approved by the Supervisors in 2012; move in May 2013).
Source: Board of Supervisors Resolution 153-14; SFMTA Board Resolution 14-050
SFMTA issues a request for proposals for a new towing contract. Tows had fallen to about 42,000 that year.
Source: SFMTA Board Resolution 16-024
A new contract and fee relief (2016 to 2022)
SFMTA's board picks the incumbent from three bidders, cuts administrative and base tow fees by $22.25, and extends the stolen-car fee waiver to non-residents.
Source: SFMTA Board Resolution 16-024
The current towing contract starts (approved by the Supervisors on March 15, 2016). Section 305 amendments the same year add a first-tow discount and a further low-income reduction.
Source: Board of Supervisors Resolution 44-26 (recitals); SFMTA staff report, June 6, 2017
SFMTA's board makes 450 7th Street, leased from Caltrans, the primary storage site and customer service center.
Source: SFMTA Board Resolution 16-121
SFMTA clarifies who qualifies for tow fee reductions and makes storage accrue by full calendar day after the first 24 hours.
The Controller's audit finds the contractor followed key fee, waiver and inventory rules but did not track in-person wait times.
Source: Controller's audit
SFMTA eliminates the administrative fee for low-income owners, waives their dolly fees, and creates a $100 low-income boot removal fee, effective July 1, 2018.
The Coalition on Homelessness sues the City in Superior Court (CPF-18-516456) over tows of legally parked cars for unpaid tickets.
The exact filing day is not stated in the sources we read.
The Treasurer's Fines and Fees Task Force report recommends tow and boot relief for low-income and unhoused people.
Source: Fines and Fees Task Force report
The Supervisors approve the Third Amendment, using the five-year option to extend the contract to March 31, 2026.
Fifth and Sixth Amendments let the contractor check income eligibility for fee waivers and let SFMTA hold auctions online.
SFMTA's board corrects its tow fee rules; the homelessness waiver covers storage for the first 24 hours plus up to 29 days.
The unpaid-ticket ruling and contract extensions (2023 to 2026)
The Court of Appeal rules that warrantless tows of safely and legally parked cars only for unpaid tickets are not valid caretaking tows.
Source: Court of Appeal opinion A164180
SFPD Bulletin 23-174 bars Vehicle Code 22651(i) unpaid-ticket tows without a court order.
Source: SFPD Bulletin 23-174
The City Attorney announces a five-year debarment of a private tow company over 2023 tows made without the property owner's permission.
Source: City Attorney news release
The Board's budget analyst estimates the tow program's net cost at about $70.7 million over 10 years; the Supervisors approve the Ninth Amendment.
Source: BLA report, Feb. 7, 2025; Board of Supervisors Resolution 66-25
SFMTA's board, then the Supervisors, approve a Tenth Amendment extending the contract to as late as June 30, 2027 while a cheaper replacement is sought.
Source: SFMTA Board Resolution 251007-093; Board of Supervisors Resolution 44-26
New SFMTA fees take effect: $385 administrative, $317 tow, $82 a day storage after the first day; $111 low-income tow fee.
For the rates over the years, see tow and storage rates. Know a record that belongs here? Email corrections@towedhelp.org.
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