The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday night (Dec. 9) to raise the maximum base charge for trespass towing by 40% to the new state maximum of $210.
Maximum allowable fees for the drop charge, storage and administration also would increase. The new fees went into effect immediately.
At a public hearing preceding the vote, the proposed increases drew criticism from some residents.
Charging drivers $210 for collecting towed passenger vehicles is “ridiculous” and “predatory,” said speaker David Davis.
“Help us in not being taken advantage of,” he pleaded with supervisors.
Another speaker, Krista White, said often residents get hit with “extreme punishment” for minor transgressions, like forgetting to put a residency permit in their vehicles when parking in their own apartment or condominium spaces.
But leaders in the towing industry, and members of a county advisory panel, said the higher rates were justified, and residents will benefit from other changes made to the towing ordinance.
The new rules, which include a permitting process for towing firms, will “protect the public from unscrupulous trespass-tow operators,” said Henri McCartney, chair of the county’s Trespass Towing Advisory Board (TTAB).
That panel had recommended increasing the base towing rate to $210 and raising the drop fee from $50 to $80. The drop fee is paid if a vehicle owner returns as a vehicle is being hooked up but not yet towed away.
The maximum base towing rate was increased by state legislation that went into effect July 1. Local governments are not obligated to set the rate that high.
Heather Ferguson of Dominion Towing told supervisors that the increases would “fairly compensate the towers for the hard work they do.” Michael Fernandez of Battlefield Towing said it would help the industry retain qualified employees, and predicted the administrative changes made by supervisors “will help weed out bad apples.”
Without any discussion, supervisors approved the slate of fees proposed by staff, which, in some cases, differed from the TTAB’s recommendations.
For non-passenger vehicles, maximum towing rates were set at $210/$305/$610, depending on weight, with a $30 surcharge available for tows occurring overnight or on weekends or holidays.
The administrative fee rose from $75 to $92.
County staff recommended that all fees be evaluated in 2026, with adjustments made as necessary.
Last year, about 45,200 vehicles were towed from private or government property for being improperly parked, according to county data.
In nearby Arlington, the County Board will tackle towing rates on Saturday (Dec. 13). Arlington elected officials have expressed skepticism of recommendations from staff and their own advisory panel on towing supporting the maximum $210 rate.
Bond sale authorized
Also at the Dec. 9 meeting, Fairfax County supervisors authorized staff to move forward with a planned sale of $400 million in county bonds.
The sale is expected to be held in mid to late January. Fairfax County Public Schools will receive $230 million for capital projects, while the $170 million designated for the county government will fund items related to public safety, transit, human services, library services and the Fairfax County Park Authority.
The county’s last bond sale — also for $400 million — came in January. Bank of America Securities purchased the bonds at a rate of 3.57%. County staff currently estimate a market rate of 3.73% for the 2026 sale.
Fairfax County continues to hold the highest bond ratings possible from Moody’s, Fitch Ratings and S&P Global.
No change to number of taxi certificates
Without comment, supervisors voted on Dec. 9 to maintain the number of available operating certificates for taxis in Fairfax County at 654.
Currently, there are only 150 taxis operating across three firms: Fairfax Red Top Cab, Fairfax Yellow Cab and Springfield Yellow Cab.
That figure has been stable for the past four years. In the preceding decade, however, the number plummeted significantly owing to the rise in rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, coupled with travel disruption owing to Covid.
Leaving the number of allowable certificates unchanged permits firms to apply for additional ones if service needs merit, staff said in a memo to Board members.
No action was taken to change existing taxi rates, which are set in Fairfax County at $4 for the first one-sixth of a mile, 40 cents for each additional one-sixth of a mile and 40 cents per minute of waiting time.
Locally, the taxi industry is regulated by the county’s Department of Cable and Consumer Services.
Celebrating Ronald McDonald House
County supervisors on Dec. 9 marked the 45th anniversary of Ronald McDonald House of Greater Washington D.C. with a commemorative proclamation.
The nonprofit organization provides “a community of healing and hope” for families with children needing medical care, the proclamation says.
“Lives are changed” both by the treatment received and the support system in place, Board Chair Jeff McKay said.
A Ronald McDonald House operates on the grounds of Inova Children’s Hospital in Merrifield. The property at 3312 Gallows Road provides 24 bedrooms for families with a member receiving treatment nearby.
A second local Ronald McDonald House is located adjacent to Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.
“Our mission is to remove barriers,” said Kymberly Wolff, the organization’s CEO. “We help families stay together and stay close to medical care.”
Wolff encouraged members of the community to visit the Merrifield facility and see what services are offered.
The concept of Ronald McDonald Houses began in the mid-1970s in Philadelphia. Soon, affiliates were opening across the U.S. and, eventually, worldwide.
Opened in 1980, the initial Ronald McDonald House of Washington, D.C., was the 16th nationally. The Northern Virginia facility, built on land donated by Inova, opened in 1998 and has expanded several times.
Cumulatively, services provided internationally help families save $678 million in lodging and meal expenses, according to the organization.
Longtime zoning appeals board member memorialized
At the Dec. 9 meeting, the Board of Supervisors also honored the life and legacy of John Ribble III, who served 42 years (1982-2024) on the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Ribble, who died recently at age 86, was “patient, steady, impartial and, above all, respectful,” McKay said during the meeting.
Ribble’s four decades of service on the board included 15 years as its chair.
Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck noted he had been Ribble’s neighbor for 35 years, and praised his often unsung service to the community.
“There are so many connections in our lives of people who made a difference,” Storck said.
