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.
Follow along with the RSS feed.
SJPD's fee schedule for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 lists a basic tow of $335, storage of $130 a day and an after-hours gate fee of $130, all paid to the tow company. The City's own impound release fee stays $122, its amount since February 13, 2019.
Posted for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
Source: SJPD Public Safety Fees
Last checked .
SJPD Department Order 2025-001 says the City contracted with Autura to automate towing and impounds. Starting February 3, 2025 in two districts, then department-wide, officers fill out an online City of San Jose Tow Slip instead of the paper CHP 180 form.
Order dated February 1, 2025.
Source: SJPD Department Order 2025-001
Last checked .
After a 2018 City Auditor report found San Jose's release fee was set using an unrealistic estimate of staff time, the fee went from $290 to $122, effective February 13, 2019. It is still $122 in 2026.
In effect since February 13, 2019.
Source: SJPD Public Safety Fees (shows 'effective 02/13/2019'); City Auditor Report 18-04
Last checked .
On January 15, 2019 the Council took up the Auditor's report on the City's six zone tow contracts and a new fee schedule, effective January 16, 2019, that raised the basic tow from $215 to $225 and outdoor storage from $87.50 to $90 a day to match the CHP's San Jose rates.
Council agenda of January 15, 2019 (items 3.6 and 3.7).
Source: Audit of Towing Services, Report 18-10; Staff memorandum, Jan. 2, 2019; Fee schedule resolution (draft in agenda packet)
Last checked .