Vehicle impoundment is a traffic/parking management tool that allows for the removal of a vehicle for either public safety reasons or unauthorized use of a parking space. A byproduct is that towing also serves as an educational tool and a disincentive for illegal parking.

Chapter 106, Article V, Division 2 of the Miami Beach City Code, provides for the issuance by the Mayor and City Commission of two (2) towing permits for the towing of vehicles identified by the City as requiring removal from the public right-of-way.

On November 14, 2012, the Mayor and City Commission approved Resolution No. 2012-28069, issuing new Towing Permits to the Permittees which commenced on December 1, 2012 and expired on November 30, 2015. On February 11, 2015, the Mayor and City Commission approved Resolution No. 2015-28918, extending the Towing Permits issued to the Permittees, commencing on March 1, 2015 and expiring on February 28, 2018.

The Police Department and Parking Department utilize Beach Towing Services, Inc. and Tremont Towing Services, Inc. for the removal of vehicles in the course of each department’s duties. Moreover, both “Beach” and “Tremont” are the only qualified towing service providers who satisfy the permit requirement for vehicle storage to be maintained within the city limits.

The alternative would require relaxation of this requirement which would then allow vehicle storage in Miami-Dade County. However, this is not recommended as visitors and/or residents would then be required to travel to the mainland to retrieve their vehicle, causing more delay, expense, and frustration to an already somewhat traumatic experience. Although vehicle impoundment is a necessary tool in parking enforcement and designed to be an incentive to park legally, the patron’s vehicle retrieval process should certainly be an efficient and expedient one.