Summary
The city used to tow and sell cars whose registration had been expired six-plus months — an audit found 12,000 vehicles sold at lien sale from 2017 to 2022, hitting low-income residents hardest. The new council policy directs police to issue citations instead, with reporting every three years.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 1
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 15, 2026.
Impact analysis
Towing and lien sales actually cost the city money, per the audit; the change shifts enforcement to citations with payment plans as low as $25 a month for low-income residents.
Low-income San Diegans, students and others who can't afford sudden impound fees keep their cars — and often their jobs, childcare and housing.
Neighbors frustrated by long-parked or abandoned vehicles lose one enforcement tool, though abandoned-vehicle and RV ordinances remain in force.
Mentions & discussions (2)
10am City Council Meeting - September 15th - Sep 15, 2026
The city used to tow and sell cars whose registration had been expired six-plus months — an audit found 12,000 vehicles sold at lien sale from 2017 to 2022, hitting low-income residents hardest. The new council policy directs police to issue citations instead, with reporting every three years.
Motorists Now May Be Cited Under California’s New ‘Daylighting’ Law
Motorists Now May Be Cited Under California’s New ‘Daylighting’ Law Inside San Diego
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for San Diego
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.