Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee
September 16, 2026

9/2/2026
1 RiversideCA.gov1
RiversideCA.gov
UPDATE REGARDING FEES RELATED TO TOW COMPANIES THAT CONTRACT WITH RPDSafety, Wellness, and Youth CommitteeSeptember 16, 2026City Attorney’s Office RiversideCA.gov2
•RPD contracts with tow companies, which pay a “per tow fee” for each tow referral forwarded to them.•RMC § 5.15.080: City’s current tow and storage rates, which may be adjusted biannually. •6/17/26: Tow companies’ concerns:1. Billed a “junk fee” in the past and high cost of disposing of junk vehicles.2. City’s current tow and storage rates. BACKGROUND 9/2/2026
2 RiversideCA.gov3
•City’s 2024-2025 Fee Schedule: $69.75 Low Value Vehicle Fee.•Only present on 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Fee Schedule and subsequently removed.•Low Value: Vehicle value does not exceed $500.DISCUSSION RiversideCA.gov4
•RPD officer completes CHP 180 form for vehicle: –Value does not exceed $500—No per tow fee charged. –Value exceeds $500—Per tow fee charged.•If tow company is issued a per tow fee for a vehicle they believe is “junk”/low value, they can contest through an Attestation Form submitted to RPD. •RMC § 5.15.080(F) also allows companies to be reimbursed for destruction of low value RVs, boats, watercraft, and trailers.DISCUSSION 9/2/2026
3 RiversideCA.gov5
•RPD researched tow and storage rates for 8 local municipalities:–(1) Ontario, (2) Moreno Valley, (3) Banning, (4) Beaumont, (5) Fontana, (6) Rancho Cucamonga, (7) Redlands, and (8) San Bernardino.•Ontario and MV regulate rates. Tow companies for other cities charge differing CHP rates. •Cities only provided names of tow companies. CHP does not share rates. Tow companies (that responded) provided rates (unconfirmed by CHP). •Overall, rates were approximately the same or more than City’s rates.DISCUSSION RiversideCA.gov6
That the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee:1. Receive the following report and presentation providing an update to the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee regarding fees related to tow companies that contract with RPD; and 2. Provide direction on the City’s process to date regarding the low value vehicle per tow fee and whether the City should adjust its tow and storage rates. And if so, to make a motion to refer the following report and presentation to the City Council. RECOMMENDATIONS