Proposed Change to Grand Forks City Code Could Lift Towing Fee Caps

Strategic Insights -

A proposed change to Grand Forks' city code would remove the caps on towing fees, nearly 15 years after the city implemented fees to prevent predatory towing practices. The proposal is currently being considered by the Grand Forks City Council, which is expected to make a decision on May 20. If approved, the change would mean that towing companies would still need to be licensed by the city and follow impounding rules, but they would no longer have limits on how much they can charge car owners. The proposal aims to address concerns that the current fee structure has become burdensome for towing companies, with the manager of Interstate Towing, Adam Berry, stating that the fees have not changed since 2011, despite the fact that the cost of living has increased significantly.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed change to the city code would remove the caps on towing fees, which have been in place since 2011.
  • Towing companies would still need to be licensed by the city and follow impounding rules, but would no longer have limits on how much they can charge car owners.
  • The manager of Interstate Towing, Adam Berry, stated that the current fee structure has become burdensome for his company and others, as the cost of living has increased significantly since 2011.
  • City Council member Rebecca Osowski expressed support for removing the caps, citing the need for the free market to take over in the towing industry.
  • City Council President Dana Sande was initially hesitant about removing the cap, but later expressed amenable to the code change, provided it retains key elements of the 2011 ordinance.
  • Grand Forks is the only major city in North Dakota to set maximum fees for towing companies.
  • The city caps general towing charges at $135, with additional fees for flat bed tows and impoundments.
  • Companies can charge no more than $25 per day after the first 24 hours for regular impoundments, or $50 per day for vehicles over 26,001 pounds.

Statistics:

  • The city has not updated its towing fee caps since 2011, despite the significant increase in the cost of living.
  • The fee caps currently in place are: $135 for general towing charges, $50 for flat bed tows, and $75 for vehicles weighing over 26,001 pounds.
  • Companies are capped in additional impoundment fees at $25 a day after the first 24 hours for regular impoundments, or $50 a day for vehicles over 26,001 pounds.
  • Grand Forks is the only major city in North Dakota to set maximum fees for towing companies.

Sources:

  • "City Council to discuss change to towing fees" by the Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.), May 12, 2025.
  • "Towing fee caps to be reconsidered by Grand Forks City Council" by the Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.), May 20, 2025.
  • "City Council considers change to towing fees" by the Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.), May 12, 2025.
  • "Grand Forks City Code" (Grand Forks, N.D.).
  • Interview with Adam Berry, manager of Interstate Towing, May 12, 2025.