New towing ordinance begins in Orange County Nov. 1

The new ordinance was created by the county's public, Environmental & Development Services following meetings with towing business owners and the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

According to a release from the Orange County, the new ordinance regulates and requires extra signage that mandate links, via a QR code, to customer information. 

• Requiring additional documents from towing companies, including company contact details and proof of insurance

• Requiring towing companies to provide parking at their sites for people picking up cars.

• extra storage site requirements with improved lighting, and signage.

• Requiring towing companies to get major credit or debit cards change for cash payments.

• keeping out spotters who watch drivers park for the exact reason of calling a towing company.

• penalty for tow companies, as well as a process for enforce code violation The Orange County Board approved the update to the towing ordinance after receiving complaints from residents and visitors.

Several issues were recognized during a year-long analysis by Orange County staff who reviewed the number of towing complaints. 

The volume of towing activity in Orange County has more than doubled since 2005 with more than 11,500 tows. 33 of the complaints came from visitors to the area. The biggest increase occurred in the tourist corridor along I-Drive.