Commission approves 'text before tow' policy to reduce resident vehicle tows

The City Commission on May 20 approved a reform aimed at reducing immediate tows of residents' vehicles for non‑safety parking violations. Under the new framework, residents will receive automated text warnings before a vehicle placed in violation becomes eligible to be towed.

Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who sponsored the item, said the change would reduce punitive towing for administrative mistakes and unclear signage while preserving the city’s ability to tow vehicles that create traffic hazards, block fire access, or occupy handicap spaces. “These violations should still be enforced with a citation … but towing is often excessive when compliance can be achieved another way,” Fernandez said.

The policy allows up to three warnings per resident per calendar quarter before a fourth violation triggers tow eligibility; vehicles left in continuous violation for more than 24 hours remain tow‑eligible. The measure also standardizes freight loading zone hours (uniform 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) across the city and increases penalties for repeat commercial loading‑zone abuse.

Parking staff told the commission they will monitor enforcement metrics and provide weekly reports from the pilot areas; commissioners requested special monitoring for construction‑impacted neighborhoods (such as North Beach) and agreed to adjust enforcement if the policy is abused.

The reform passed by unanimous vote. Implementation will be phased with pilot enforcement details and technology checks before full roll‑out.