.jpg)
by Elizabeth Ruiz
If your illegally-parked car gets towed away, you'll have to pay a lot more to get it back.
The San Antonio City Council has approved a new towing ordinance that more than doubles the limit companies can charge for a nonconsent tow from $85 to $177.
Elizabeth Johnson, president of the San Antonio Towing Association, says it's a fair rate.
"This $177 fee applies only to vehicles that are towed for being parked in violation of parking rules on private property, so it does not affect anyone who is stranded on the side of the road or anyone who called for a tow truck," said Johnson.
The ordinance won't go into effect until February 10.
"It is a relief to have a fair rate set for the towing industry and have some specific guidelines for the towing industry. It's been long overdue," Johnson told 550 KTSA News.
Those new rules approved Thursday include a fuel adjustment schedule, a "drop fee" of $88.50, up from $85. and the driver must inform police.
The founder of Bexar Towing, John DeLoach, has several cases pending in Municipal Court for allegedly charging more than the current $85 cap. He's accused of charging as much as $250. .
San Antonio police issued DeLoach hundreds of citations.
