§ 76-422. Towing and storage fees and regulations.

(a)

The maximum fees that may be charged for the towing of motor vehicles and for the storage and, when specifically authorized by this section, the retrieval of such towed vehicles shall be established by the director annually and shall be comparable to the city tow and storage fees. The director may adjust the fees based upon the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumer (CPI-U).

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person to charge a towing fee, storage fee or retrieval fee that exceeds the fees established by subsection (a).

(c)

If the owner of a motor vehicle is present and capable of removing the vehicle before it is removed by a tow vehicle operator, the vehicle shall not be towed; provided, that in such an event, the owner of the vehicle shall be liable for a reasonable fee, not to exceed one-half of the regular towing fee, in lieu of towing, payable to the tow vehicle operator. This fee shall only apply if the tow vehicle is attached to the offending vehicle and the offending vehicle has been lifted so at least two of the tires are off the ground and still on the premises.

(d)

Except for the removal of motor vehicles authorized by a law enforcement agency, a towing company shall not remove or commence the removal of motor vehicles from private property without first obtaining written authorization from the property owner or lessee in lawful possession or the property manager or security manager of the real property, who must be present at the time of removal or commencement of the removal. A property manager or security manager must be a full-time employee of the business entity. All written authorizations shall be maintained for at least three years by the towing company. General authorization to remove or commence removal of motor vehicles at the towing company's discretion shall not be delegated to a towing company or its affiliates except in the case of motor vehicles unlawfully parked within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or in a fire lane designated by a fire department or the state fire marshal as required by RSMo § 304.158.

(Ord. No. 120271, § 1, 3-29-12; Ord. No. 180606 , § 1, 12-20-18)