TRESPASS TOWING

Please click here for an explanation of the Trespass Towing statute.

A Trespass Towing Registration form can be downloaded here!

PROCEDURES FOR PERFORMING TRESPASS TOWING IN HOWARD COUNTY

1. The tow service must be currently registered with the Office of Consumer Affairs before any trespass towing can be performed in Howard County.

2. The tow service must have a signed contract with the property manager.

3. Tow service and or property manager must post signs on property in accordance with Section 17.603 (b), of the Howard County Code.

4. The tow service must obtain the permission of the property manager prior to towing any vehicles from the property.

5. The tow service shall write a receipt for each vehicle towed to include:

• the make, model, color, and year of the vehicle
• VIN and tags number
• address the vehicle was towed from
• reason for the tow
• date and time of tow
• signature of the tow operator
• the name of the person authorizing the tow
• signature of the person authorizing the tow

6. A legible copy of the receipt must be securely attached to the vehicle in a conspicuous place.

7. Tow Service shall notify the Howard County Police of the tow within one hour of leaving the property and provide the required information.

8. Tow Service shall report all vehicles towed to the Office of Consumer Affairs within one hour of leaving the property. In the event that the Office is closed, this information can be faxed to 410-313-6453. The following information needs to be provided:

• the make, model, year and color of the vehicle
• VIN and tag numbers of the vehicle
• the address the vehicle was towed from
• the storage site where the vehicle will be stored

9. It is the position of the Office, that in the event that a vehicle is reported to this Office later than the specified 24 hour period, storage fees may not be charged for the time that the vehicle was not reported.

10. An unauthorized vehicle may be towed WITHOUT express authorization of the property manager ONLY if it is directly blocking a clearly marked fire lane or access to property or a building on the property.

11. The tow service and the property manager must comply with all the provisions of Section 17.600 - 17.611 of the Howard County Code.

Consumer Rights for Vehicles which have been Towed

1. All vehicles towed without the permission of the owner from private property in Howard County are subject to the following requirements:

• All vehicles must be reported to the Office of Consumer Affairs on the day which they are towed.
• The fees which can be charged are regulated.(SEE FEE SCHEDULE)
• If the tow is not complete you may ask the company to release your auto and they must comply. The company is allowed to charge the owner. (SEE FEE SCHEDULE)

Towing

ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE FOR TOWING COMPANIES................$150.00

Towing Services Minimum Rate Services

This schedule applies to the towing of a motor vehicle from private property without the consent of the vehicle owner, pursuant to Subtitle 6 “Motor Vehicle Towing from Private Property” of Title 17 of the Howard County Code.

Service Performed	Maximum Fee
1. Attaching vehicle to the tow truck This includes any other service needed to safely remove the vehicle such as unlocking, disconnecting and reconnecting the drive shaft,or securing the steering wheel, but does not include dollying and flatbedding
Vehicle 8000 lb or less Vehicle over 8000 lbs	$125 $390
Towing the vehicle
2. The charge is for the distance from the place where the vehicle was attached to the tow truck to the nearest storage site	$0.00 per mile
Storing the vehicle
3. Storage time begins when the vehicle arrives at the storge site or when the towing service notifies the Howard County Police Dept. that the vehicle has been towed, whichever is sooner.
Vehicle 8000 lbs or less First 12 hours Second 12 hours Each additional 12 hours	$12.50 $12.50 $12.50
Vehicle over 8000 lbs First 12 hours Second 12 hours Each additional 12 hours	$37.50 $37.50 $37.50
4. Other services to safely remove vehicle Dollying or flatbedding when necessary in order to tow the vehicle in accordance with the recommendations of the American Automobile Association Towing Manual	$15.00
5. Releasing a vehicle after it has been attached but before it has been towed.
Vehicle 8000 lbs or less	$62.50
Vehicle over 8000 lbs	$195.00

Any other service is free unless specifically requested by vehicle owner.