City of Rohnert Park

Tow Hearings are conducted pursuant to CA Vehicle Code Section 22852. The Tow Hearing will only address issues concerning the validity of a tow and possible early release of a vehicle impounded for 30 days. Discussion concerning Officer actions prior to the tow/impound, probable cause, search and seizure, guilt or innocence or any details about the pending criminal case will not be discussed. You should direct those issues to a criminal defense attorney.

Tow hearings may be scheduled weekdays by visiting the Records Bureau or by calling Records during business hours at (707) 584-2600. The hearing may not be granted if this request is made 10 or more days since the date of tow/impound.

If a VALID REQUEST for a post storage hearing is received, the hearing shall be conducted within two business days after receipt of the request for the hearing(excluding holidays).

If you wish to meet with the Hearing Officer, open, print and complete the attached questionnaire. You will bring this completed form with you when you schedule an appointment.

·  Driver arrested: When the driver is arrested and booked at the jail the officer may tow the vehicle.

·  Registration expired: If the registration is expired for over 6 months the vehicle may be towed.

·  Evidence Impounds: If your vehicle was used in a crime it is subject to impound for evidentiary purposes.

·  30 Day Impound: The driver of the vehicle has never had a license or was driving with a suspended license. Before you loan your car to anyone, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure he/she is properly licensed.

·  Recovered Stolen Vehicle: If your car was stolen, and we recover it, we will tow it at your expense it if we cannot get a hold of you. You will not be charged the $176 administrative fee if we have to tow your previously reported stolen vehicle, but the tow company will charge for the towing and storage.

·  Parked for over 72 hours without moving: It is illegal to leave your car parked on a city street for more than 72 hours without moving it. Generally, we will respond to a complaint about an abandoned vehicle and may store it any time after 72 hours. If the vehicle has been subject of a longer formal "abatement process" and towed pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 22669A, the registered owner is not charged the $176 administrative fee.

The Records Bureau issues vehicle releases during normal Records Bureau business hours, Monday-Friday between 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. The Records Bureau is not open on weekends or holidays and, with the sole exception of recovered stolen vehicles, no vehicle will be released by anyone except the Records Bureau. Once you receive the required "CHP-180" release form from our Records Bureau, the tow company may release the vehicle following the payment of their fees.

 Regardless of why it was towed, all registration fees must be current and, there can be no outstanding parking citations when the release is requested.

The current registered owner must be present and sign the release paperwork. If the R/O is out of the area, personal arrangements to fax a release authorization can be arranged.

If you purchased a vehicle from the Registered Owner but failed to register the vehicle into your name, the car will not be released until you have gone to the DMV and completed this transfer. You may find details at the DMV web site by clicking: TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP.

If the registered owner is unlicensed or has a suspended/revoked driving privilege, the owner must bring TWO other licensed drivers to the department to obtain the release form. (One driver drove the owner to the station, the other driver will drive the vehicle away from the tow yard.)

Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22850.5 and City of Rohnert Park Resolution #95-152, an administrative fee of $176.00 must be paid to the City of Rohnert Park prior to obtaining a written release for your vehicle. This fee must be paid at the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Main Station during Records Bureau hours (M-F, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm,) excluding holidays.

Payment will be accepted by cash (exact amount in paper currency only,) cashier's check or money order.

Providing proof current registration and proper identification (driver license, State issued Identification Card or a Military I.D.) is your responsibility.

The vehicle can only be released to the current registered owner or their authorized representative (please call the Records Bureau at 707-584-2600 to determine how to designate an authorized representative).

If you are the new owner and have not yet completed the DMV registration in your name the vehicle will not be released to you until you complete the registration process with DMV, even if you have a bill of sale or were driving the car at the time of the tow.