Title
Amending Section 9-605 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Towing," and Section 12-2405, entitled "Removal or Immobilization of Parked Vehicles; Notice," to prohibit the towing of vehicles identified as reported stolen unless an attempt has been made by the Police to give the vehicle owner an opportunity to recover the vehicle before the vehicle is towed; and adding Section 10-839 to require the reporting of stolen vehicles to the Police; all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Section 9-605 of The Philadelphia Code is amended to read as follows:
ยง9-605. Towing.
* * *
(11) Towing From Private Lots, Private Property and Driveways. Only towing companies licensed under paragraph (3) of this Section shall be permitted to tow any illegally parked vehicle from any licensed or unlicensed parking lot, from private property, from any common driveway and from in front of any driveway where the vehicle is blocking access to that driveway.
* * *
(d) No vehicle shall be towed under this subsection until the towing company has notified the Police Department that the vehicle is illegally parked and is to be towed. Upon such notice, the Police Department shall determine whether or not the vehicle has been reported stolen. If the vehicle has been reported stolen [then], and except in the case of an immediate threat to public safety as determined by the Police, or a case where a vehicle is blocking access to a public or private driveway, no such vehicle shall be towed unless the Police have either notified, or attempted to notify, the owner of the vehicle of its recovery by calling the contact number provided to the Police at the time it was reported stolen and, unless the Police are unable to contact the owner or leave a message for the owner, or the owner elects to have the Police tow the vehicle, the owner has been given 24 hours from the time of such notification or attem...
Click here for full text