Private property towing

[wannabe]

So, my company is in the middle of the City of Santa Clara where there seems to be non-stop commercial construction. We own our building and our parking lot. We have been having issues with the construction guys parking in our lot and filling it up. We have tried to be nice. We have asked the guys not to park in our lot, and we have even multiple times gone over to the construction site and asked the foreman to tell his guys not to part in our lot. But, they continue to do so. It is getting out of hand.

Does anyone here know what the rules are related to setting up a private property towing agreement with a local towing company? Is it just a matter of signing an agreement and putting up towing signs? That's what all the towing companies tell us. I just wanted to confirm that it really is that easy.

I feel like a dick for wanting to do it, but we are kinda stuck.

 

[mean dad]

Fuck them for ignoring your repeated requests. No idea on your query.

 

[Yakoo752]

hire someone at minimum wage to stand there and verify employees

that's what we had to do in Palo Alto - eventually the company moved to San Jose because it was a joke

 

[auntiebling]

I am.sure if you call a towing company they'll be completely honest about the legalities and stuff.

first step would be installing a giant sign "employee parking only, private parking, violators will be towed"

Probably ought to call the police and be sure you don't have to give warnings and waiting periods etc.

Iknow i know, you ought to be able to remove unwelcome stuff on private property but this is CA. it's weird here

 

[SFSV650]

Put a big chain across the gate at 3pm one afternoon.
Put a sign which reads 'trespassers will be prosecuted' on it.
Enjoy your new trucks.

 

[1sicv8]

I sell signs like this one all the time for the same reasons you posted...

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/engineering/control-devices/specs/R28E.pdf

There are more options, if you need help PM me anytime

 

[catch2otwo]

Put a big chain across the gate at 3pm one afternoon.
Put a sign which reads 'trespassers will be prosecuted' on it.
Enjoy your new trucks.

haha! Pick a day to end the day for everyone early. Shut and lock the gate at 230pm just before construction lets out. That should be fun to watch.

 

[auntiebling]

Put a big chain across the gate at 3pm one afternoon.
Put a sign which reads 'trespassers will be prosecuted' on it.
Enjoy your new trucks.

haha! Pick a day to end the day for everyone early. Shut and lock the gate at 230pm just before construction lets out. That should be fun to watch.

yes
this is the most expedient solution.

friday is the best option. i'd call it noon though, in case the construction guys nock off early and to be sure there isn't anyone just leaving the office as their rage peaks.

 

[1sicv8]

also... this code should work.. not sure 100% though

10.05.650 Vehicles on private property.
(a) No person shall operate, drive, or leave any vehicle in, over, or upon any private property without express or implied permission of the owner thereof or the person entitled to the possession thereof for the time being, or the authorized agent of either, except that this section shall not apply to public or private parking lots. For purposes of this section parking shall be allowed only on areas surfaced with all-weather materials, including, but not limited to, concrete, asphalt, brick, stone, or gravel; and parking shall be prohibited in the required landscape areas.

(b) For the purpose of Section 22658 of the California Vehicle Code, a sign prohibiting public parking, indicating that vehicles will be removed at owner’s expense, and containing the telephone number of the City traffic law enforcement agency shall be rectangular and seventeen (17) inches by twenty-two (22) inches, at a minimum. (Ord. 1062; Ord. 1468 § 2, 3-29-83; Ord. 1665 § 4, 11-15-94. Formerly § 17-77).

 

[RightCoastBias]

It's private property and I believe as long as you have signs up explaining it's private, you can have them towed.

I've had a few cars towed from our lot when people park in here. I even had the city of SF tow a car that was blocking one of our roll up doors. From call to tow, was about an hour.

 

[wannabe]

also... this code should work.. not sure 100% though

10.05.650 Vehicles on private property.
(a) No person shall operate, drive, or leave any vehicle in, over, or upon any private property without express or implied permission of the owner thereof or the person entitled to the possession thereof for the time being, or the authorized agent of either, except that this section shall not apply to public or private parking lots. For purposes of this section parking shall be allowed only on areas surfaced with all-weather materials, including, but not limited to, concrete, asphalt, brick, stone, or gravel; and parking shall be prohibited in the required landscape areas.

(b) For the purpose of Section 22658 of the California Vehicle Code, a sign prohibiting public parking, indicating that vehicles will be removed at owner’s expense, and containing the telephone number of the City traffic law enforcement agency shall be rectangular and seventeen (17) inches by twenty-two (22) inches, at a minimum. (Ord. 1062; Ord. 1468 § 2, 3-29-83; Ord. 1665 § 4, 11-15-94. Formerly § 17-77).

Thank you, sir! :thumbup

It sounds as though what the towing companies are telling us is true. Almost all of them offer to provide and put up the signs for free. The part that I'm dubious about is that they tell us that in order for it to be legal, we have to sign an exclusive agreement with the towing company.

 

[Hoho]

Thank you, sir! :thumbup

It sounds as though what the towing companies are telling us is true. Almost all of them offer to provide and put up the signs for free. The part that I'm dubious about is that they tell us that in order for it to be legal, we have to sign an exclusive agreement with the towing company.

Definitely need the sign. The exclusive agreement might be so that whoever gets towed knows who to call to reclaim their vehicle.

 

[RightCoastBias]

Thank you, sir! :thumbup

It sounds as though what the towing companies are telling us is true. Almost all of them offer to provide and put up the signs for free. The part that I'm dubious about is that they tell us that in order for it to be legal, we have to sign an exclusive agreement with the towing company.

Yup, that's usually how it works.

We have a deal with a local tow company.

 

[GPzPop]

put the signs up at 12:00 noon, start towing at 12:30!

 

[westie]

To be a legal tow you need the city or county violation code on the sign.

 

[mean dad]

Thank you, sir! :thumbup

It sounds as though what the towing companies are telling us is true. Almost all of them offer to provide and put up the signs for free. The part that I'm dubious about is that they tell us that in order for it to be legal, we have to sign an exclusive agreement with the towing company.

If that is the case, then you have something to bargain with. Not sure what you could get out of it though, especially since it would be a few tows in the immediate future, then pretty much nothing.

 

[1sicv8]

Thank you, sir! :thumbup

It sounds as though what the towing companies are telling us is true. Almost all of them offer to provide and put up the signs for free. The part that I'm dubious about is that they tell us that in order for it to be legal, we have to sign an exclusive agreement with the towing company.

Yeah they will put the signs up for you, but you then need to call them only for a tow. You can put up your own sign and then call whoever you want.

Tow companies can afford to give you some signs because they will make $$$$$ each time you call them

 

[1sicv8]

Also, be prepared for some pretty irritated people if you do tow. Make sure to appoint someone to be the bad guy and deal with them

 

[SFSV650]

You'll need a camera facing your lot for the next few months, as there will probably be some vandalism.

Very easy for contractors to 'drop' a box or five of wood screws all over the street / driveway / inside your rear tire while in the job. Nobody's fault, just one of those minor side effects of locating your home or business near a jobsite.

 

[corndog67]

You do know that tow companies and their practices are about as close to organized crime as you can get, don't you? Have you ever had your shit towed, and had to pay exorbitant extortion fees to get it back?