Owners of vehicles towed for improper parking on private property across Fairfax County could soon see an increase of up to 40% in the fee to retrieve them.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Oct. 28) set a public hearing for Tuesday, Dec. 9 to consider adjustments to towing fees most recently raised four years ago.
The current maximum base rate for what is known as a “trespass tow” in the county is $150. A change to state law effective July 1 allowed the maximum rate to rise to $210 while maintaining the minimum at $135.
Governing bodies have the ability to set a maximum rate anywhere within that range.
In July, the county’s Trespass Towing Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend increasing the maximum rate to $210, up 40% from the existing level. But the county’s Consumer Protection Commission has recommended a smaller increase, to $183.
The Trespass Towing Advisory Board proposed other changes to existing rates:
- A maximum towing fee for vehicles between 7,501 and 10,000 pounds from the current $250 to $470 and a maximum fee for vehicles heavier than 10,000 pounds from the current $500 to $630
- An increase in the drop fee — charged when a vehicle owner returns before the tow is completed — from the current $50 to $80
- An increase in the storage fee, after the first 24 hours, from $50 to $70 per day
The Dec. 9 public hearing will begin no earlier than 4:30 p.m. as part of the Board’s regular meeting that day.
Among other jurisdictions, the City of Fairfax has raised its maximum tow rate to $210. Arlington County’s Trespass Towing Advisory Board have recommended that jurisdiction do the same, but members of the Arlington County Board are seeking more information before moving forward.
Revisions to massage ordinances set for hearing
The Board of Supervisors also slated a public hearing for Tuesday, Nov. 18 to consider proposed revisions to the county’s massage ordinance.
The proposed amendment would transfer regulatory authority over massage establishments from the Department of Cable and Consumer Services to the Fairfax County Health Department.
It also would update certain provisions of the existing ordinance, which was created in 2000 and has not been amended since.
County staff say the changes bring regulations in line with current trends in the massage industry, and have been proposed following discussions with those in the industry.
In the fiscal year 2025 that ended June 30, the county government issued 221 permits to massage establishments and 571 permits to individual therapists, officials said.
Under the timetable sought by staff, some of the revamped provisions would go into effect the day after adoption, with the remainder taking effect Jan. 1, 2026.
County to consider consolidating mowing contracts
Fairfax supervisors on Oct. 28 asked County Executive Bryan Hill to look into the possibility of consolidating the county government’s contracts for mowing services with those of the Fairfax County Park Authority.
“There may be efficiencies through better coordination,” said Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, who made the request.
His colleagues raised no objections, although McKay said Hill and his staff are working “all the time — every minute of the day” to find efficiencies such as this.
A number of supervisors, including Hunter Mill District’s Walter Alcorn, said they’d also like to see Fairfax County Public Schools working more closely with the Park Authority on areas like mowing.
