Maryland Proposes Two Tow Resolutions

In Ocean City, Maryland, on Monday, June 13, two tow resolutions were introduced.  

The first would require tow companies that don’t seek reimbursement for their tows from the city within 90 days to be subject to an administrative fee of 10%.  

Under the ordinance, tow companies are required to seek reimbursement up to 30 days. 

Ocean City Police Department Capt. Mike Colbert said, “Last year we had a tow company that didn’t ask for reimbursement for their tows for the whole year, and they made a ton of tows,” he said. “It was well into five figures we returned to them … It took us a while to go back and verify we actually owed it to them.” 

Colbert also presented the commission with an ordinance amendment involving towing ordinance complaints. 

“This is a piece of paper that needs to be filled out every time a tow company tows off a private lot under the blue sign,” he explained. “We tightened this form up to a degree because we had an instance of a single tow company excessively dealing in predatory towing.” 

One of the proposed changes, he said, is a requirement for property owners or managers to take a picture of the unauthorized vehicle being towed. 

Colbert said the proposed changes were ultimately written to clarify the rules and prevent predatory towing. 

Both resolutions were unanimously approved by a commission and forwarded to the Mayor and Council with a favorable recommendation.  https://mdcoastdispatch.com/https://www.oceancitytoday.com/news/