Gainesville may soon require towing companies to post in their offices a complete list of the rights of those they tow.
The Gainesville City Commission voted unanimously Monday in favor of the "Trespass Tow Bill of Rights," which they asked to have drafted last November.
Included in the draft is the right for victims to have their vehicles within one hour of paying fees, the right to inspect their vehicles before paying and the right to retrieve personal property from their vehicles without penalty within the first 24 hours after being towed.
The commission will vote on the issue a final time Jan. 28. If it passes, the ordinance will be effective immediately.
The tow company would be liable for any damages to the vehicle if entry was not conducted with "standard reasonable care," according to the bill of rights.
Towing companies would also be required to take a photo of the violation before the vehicle is towed, and provide that photo to the owner without charge on the next business day during normal business hours.
Normal business hours are defined as Monday through Saturday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
A detailed receipt including the legal name of the towing company or name of the person towing the vehicle would also be given to those whose cars were towed, whether it is requested or not.
No fees would be charged for using credit cards, but debit cards could include extra charges. The posters would be produced and posted by the Gainesville Police Department.
