2018 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 32 - Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulation
RS 32:1734 - Gate fees; other fees; excessive charges; prohibitions; cause of action
§1734. Gate fees; other fees; excessive charges; prohibitions; cause of action
A. A towing or storage company that assesses gate fees shall not assess such fee in an amount in excess of forty-five dollars.
B. If the towing or storage company charges a gate fee in excess of forty-five dollars, the owner of the vehicle shall have a right and cause of action to recover the amount of the excess fee, plus reasonable attorney fees, and all costs of court.
C. For the purposes of this Section, a "gate fee" shall mean a charge assessed by a towing or storage company for releasing a towed vehicle before or after normal business hours.
D. No towing or storage company shall charge a fee for the retrieval of contents from a stored or towed vehicle during normal business hours. However, a towing or storage company may charge a fee, not to exceed forty-five dollars, for the retrieval of contents from a stored or towed vehicle at a time other than during normal business hours. If the towing or storage company charges a fee in violation of this Subsection, the owner of the vehicle shall have a right and cause of action to recover the amount of the excess fee, plus reasonable attorney fees and all costs of court.
E. For purposes of this Section, "normal business hours" of any towing or storage company shall be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, exclusive of legal holidays.
Acts 1999, No. 532, §1; Acts 2001, No. 856, §1; Acts 2010, No. 837, §1.
