Nov. 8--Parking illegally in Richmond could soon get more expensive.

The City Council is set to vote tomorrow on proposals that would increase the rates that towing companies can charge to remove vehicles from private property, as well as the city's fines for unauthorized parking in handicap zones.

The maximum towing fee would be raised to $125 from $65 to match the price allowed under state code. The state rate applies only if localities don't cap their own rates.

The fine for parking without a valid permit in a space reserved for disabled users or in front of a ramp for disabled users would jump to $200 from $100. Officials expect the higher fine would generate an additional $50,000 to $70,000 annually for the city.

Despite the city's $65 cap, some towing companies have been charging excessive fees when they remove and store illegally parked vehicles from private property.

The city's Advisory Board for the Assessment of Towing Fees and Storage of Vehicles is recommending an increase in light of operators' costs for taxes, equipment, gas and insurance. The city's rates have been set for the past 10 years.

The proposal also would allow towing operators to increase the daily storage fee to $35 from $20 after the first 24-hour period and allow a $30 administrative fee for vehicles not retrieved within 72 hours. It also would clarify what fees would apply if the owner of a vehicle arrives when it already has been picked up but is not yet towed.

The city's towing rates apply when vehicles are towed from private property in the city, regardless of where the operator is based.

The council's new 7th District representative, Cynthia I. Newbille, is expected to be sworn in to start the meeting. She succeeds interim Councilwoman Betty L. Squire, who was appointed early this year after Delores L. McQuinn resigned when she won a special election to represent the 70th District in the House of Delegates. ------

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or wjones@timesdispatch.com.

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