Palm Desert Municipal Code Ch. 10.25 Vehicle Impound Cost Recovery Fee

Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22850.5, an administrative fee shall be imposed as set forth in this chapter for the recovery of impounded and/or stored vehicles in an amount set by resolution.

(Ord. 1195 § 1, 2009)

The victims of stolen or embezzled vehicles shall be exempt from this administrative fee when their vehicles are released from impound and/or storage.

(Ord. 1195 § 1, 2009)

The Riverside County sheriff's department, acting as the Palm Desert police department, may, in the exercise of its discretion, forego or excuse this administrative fee when deemed appropriate by the chief.

(Ord. 1195 § 1, 2009)

The administrative charge shall only be imposed for administrative costs as follows:

A. The fee shall only be imposed on the registered owner or the agents of that owner and shall not include any vehicle towed under an abatement program or sold at a lien sale, unless the sale is sufficient in amount to pay the lienholder's total charges and proper administrative costs;

B. Any charges shall be collected only from the registered owner or an agent of the registered owner;

C. The charges shall be in addition to any other charges authorized or imposed pursuant to the Vehicle Code;

D. No charge shall be made to the legal owner who redeems the vehicle unless the legal owner voluntarily requests a post-storage hearing.

(Ord. 1195 § 1, 2009)