Prince William County increases allowable fees for towing

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors recently amended the County Code to increase the amount people are charged for having their cars towed after parking illegally.

The amendment allows the rate for towing vehicles weighing less than 10,001 to go from $125 to $135. The rate to tow vehicles weighing between 10,001 and 26,000 pounds has gone from $175 to $250, and the rate to tow vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds has increased from $300 to $475.

Most passenger vehicles, such as passenger cars, light pickup trucks, passenger vans and SUVs, fall into the 10,001- to 26,000-pound weight class, according to Prince William Police 1st Sgt. Richard Noble.

Before the rates went up, Prince William County allowed towing companies to charge an additional $35 fee for vehicles picked up after hours and on weekends and holidays, in addition to the $125 towing fee. The amendment reduced the additional after-hours fee to $25.

Towing in the county is done by private tow companies in coordination with the county and the Police Department, which assists in handling complaints/disputes related to towed vehicles.

Noble said the change in the ordinance puts Prince William County in line with surrounding jurisdictions, which follow the state code for towing after hours.

“Our ordinance was out of sync with the Virginia State Code on the basic charge for afterhours towing of vehicles between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. and for towing on weekends and holidays. Towing companies were charging $125 for a basic tow and then charging another $35 for release of a vehicle after hours. Manassas City and Manassas Park are working off of the state code fee, and we were not. This caused many citizen issues and complaints when folks came in to pick up their vehicles and see two fee schedules.”

The Prince William County Towing Advisory Board recommended that the Board of County Supervisors adopt the changes. Noble said it was prudent to change the rates because of increased cost of operations and fuel prices and to remain consistent with the state and other local jurisdictions.

According to the Prince William County Attorney’s Office, the changes went into effect when the board voted to allow the fee changes. Noble said the last time towing prices were updated was in 2009.