Name: KC officials create new system to combat predatory towing
Uploaded: 2026-01-03T05:00:06.505Z
Duration: 2 min 43 s
Description: Kansas City, Missouri, officials implemented a new system to combat predatory towing in 2026.

Kansas City, Missouri, officials implemented a new system to combat predatory towing in 2026.

Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri has implemented a new system and ordinance to address ongoing complaints about predatory towing. The measures, now in effect, require towing companies to log all tows on a citywide platform, allow police to track activity, and impose higher penalties for illegal operations.

The ordinance also mandates written permission from landowners for private property tows and prohibits towing if a driver is present and able to move the vehicle. These changes follow continued reports from residents of excessive towing fees and unclear practices, with city officials aiming to increase accountability and transparency in the industry.

KC officials create new system to combat predatory towing

Treat people fairly. That's just outrageous robbery. It's all it is. That's rich. He reached out to us about predatory towing practices in Kansas City. It's a topic that we've been covering before, but he says it's still happening and asked us to look into it. So that's what we did and we found out new rules in KCMO have started. The city of Kansas City has a new system in place to fight back against predatory towing effective now 2026. An ordinance aims to protect people from unfair fees or what the city calls shady towers. They'll do this by bringing more transparency and accountability. I'm Megan Abundance. I cover Kansas City, Missouri. Since April, I've covered predatory tow claims that led to charges filed. I've met with drivers, attorney, city and county officials. We're still hearing from viewers who claim predatory towing is happening to them just weeks before these new rules officially started rage. I was I was just beside myself. Richard Pony told us what happened. He was parked on the Country Club Plaza on Roanoke in front of a restaurant. This tow sign was nearby his car. A few lengths ahead. It said parking right there was for bar members, but the bar wasn't open. He ran into a building and came out to no car tow company had it for 45 minutes and he told it 3 miles and charged me $857. $857 the sign further ahead of where his car was parked said a maximum tow fee would be $370 for one day. Almost tripled when he got to the nearby tow company, he was upset. No matter I I got, the more fees he came up with to charge me 265 for the tow 175 for a gate fee. I have no idea, but that is special $125 labor. Another $90 I checked the receipt and the numbers do not add up to what Rich was charged. A lot of people can't afford this. I mean, I mean, I'm fortunate enough I could, you know, have a credit card to pay for this fee. I called the tow truck company and the bar. No answer yet. Part of the new law focuses on how tows are tracked. All tow companies must log the cars they take on a new citywide platform. CPD can track the tows too. There are higher penalties. $1000 for tow companies who operate illegally. This is something that's been long overdue. If a tow company is on private property, they have to get written permission from the landowner to make a tow. And finally, if someone is at their car and can move it, a tow company can't take it. Megan Abundance KSHB 41 news.

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