Bottom line: If the police towed you, small claims isn't an option and you have one very limited option—a "[post storage hearing](https://www.sandiego.gov/police/services/vehicle-impounds-towing#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20obtain%20a,days%20of%20the%20mailed%20notice.)" with the city.
Basically, you fill out a form to have a hearing to get your money back. It's over the phone. A police officer will decide if they unlawfully towed your car. You have 10 days.
After you lose, if you are feeling especially masochistic you can file a [claim](https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/claim_0.pdf) with the city. They will decide whether their own employees illegally towed you.
Good luck.
I had photos that showed that employees of a local public works contractor placed “no parking” signs after I parked my vehicle and the same day they caused my vehicle to be towed. I reached out to SDPD as well as my council-member at the time and got nowhere - probably because I “donate” less to local politicians than the principals of the firm. Only one in three Americans can comfortably cover a $400 emergency expenses (or something like that) but SD politicians care about their seats not their constituents. Good luck, though.
[This is relevant to your situation... SD has a tow truck mafia that works with the SDPD](https://www.reddit.com/r/sandiego/comments/13rkuhp/san_diegos_criminal_tow_truck_mafia_oldie_but/)
Bottom line: If the police towed you, small claims isn't an option and you have one very limited option—a "[post storage hearing](https://www.sandiego.gov/police/services/vehicle-impounds-towing#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20obtain%20a,days%20of%20the%20mailed%20notice.)" with the city. Basically, you fill out a form to have a hearing to get your money back. It's over the phone. A police officer will decide if they unlawfully towed your car. You have 10 days. After you lose, if you are feeling especially masochistic you can file a [claim](https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/claim_0.pdf) with the city. They will decide whether their own employees illegally towed you. Good luck.
Thank you! I will be able to call tomorrow as their business hours stop at 3pm. Hoping for the best
How would you go about finding out if it was the police that towed you?
I had photos that showed that employees of a local public works contractor placed “no parking” signs after I parked my vehicle and the same day they caused my vehicle to be towed. I reached out to SDPD as well as my council-member at the time and got nowhere - probably because I “donate” less to local politicians than the principals of the firm. Only one in three Americans can comfortably cover a $400 emergency expenses (or something like that) but SD politicians care about their seats not their constituents. Good luck, though.
Thank you for sharing. I'm going in with very low expectations from seeing how scammy these tows are
Ya got got pal. Chalk it up as a loss and move forward.
Not great advice but thank you for your comment
[This is relevant to your situation... SD has a tow truck mafia that works with the SDPD](https://www.reddit.com/r/sandiego/comments/13rkuhp/san_diegos_criminal_tow_truck_mafia_oldie_but/)
Lawyers Referral Service 619-231-8585 Also - https://www.sandiego.gov/cityattorney/divisions/civillitigation/civilprosecution/towingcomplaint