Localmedium impact · 5/10substantive160949

Council proposed stricter towing rules for accidents and disabled vehicles in Philadelphia.

Official:Amending Section 9-605 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Towing," by amending the definition of consensual towing, amending towing agreements in certain circumstances, and amending towing charges; all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Council President Clarke

Introduced: October 27, 2016

: Committee on Streets and Services

public safety traffic transportation

No one voted on this bill

This bill was introduced in the 2016–2019 Council term and when that term ran out. The public record shows no committee vote and no floor vote at any stage, so no member of Council ever went on record for or against it.

That is not unusual here. Of the 8,465 bills introduced between 2000 and 2025, 1,624 lapsed without a single recorded vote. Ninety percent of bills that became law carry a roll call. Three percent of lapsed bills do. How this works.

Plain-Language Summary

This bill amends the definition of consensual towing in Philadelphia's code, including new rules for towing agreements and charges related to accidents or disabled vehicles.

What This Bill Does

AI-written. Every figure is checked against the bill text.

Changes the definition of consensual towing to require towing companies to obtain prior consent or authorization from the vehicle owner or operator in certain circumstances, such as through a signed consent form or electronic verification of a request for assistance.
Prohibits towing companies from deeming towing of a vehicle from the scene of an accident or towing of a disabled vehicle as consensual if the tow occurs within 24 hours of the accident or the vehicle becoming disabled.
Amends towing agreements to require towing companies to obtain consent or authorization in certain circumstances, and to specify that towing agreements may not be deemed consensual if the tow occurs within 24 hours of the accident or the vehicle becoming disabled. 4.