Yes, you can sue over a towing fee overcharge like those alleged in University City. A towing fee overcharge means a tow or storage bill that exceeds a city-code limit or follows an unlawful tow.
ArchCity Defenders filed the University City case on Oct. 22, 2026, for four current or former residents, according to the ArchCity Defenders filing announcement. The suit challenges warrantless seizures of vehicles parked on private property and seeks class-action damages.
Table of Contents
- What did residents allege in University City?
- What fee cap could make a bill challengeable?
- Could a case like this lead to payment?
- What can you do over a smaller bill?
What did residents allege in University City?
The complaint alleges University City ordered more than 150 tows over three years from driveways, carports and private residential areas, according to Guessing Headlights. Those cars did not block public roadways. They also did not pose a safety hazard, according to the same report.
Bills grew fast after impound. Guessing Headlights reports one plaintiff's Dodge Journey towed from her carport topped $2,000 by her next paycheck. ArchCity Defenders reports another family was quoted over $8,000 to recover two driveway-towed vehicles.
What fee cap could make a bill challengeable?
University City Code Section 385.130 limits a towing company to reasonable charges, according to the current University City Code. Storage is capped at negotiated consensual-tow rates. Those storage charges apply only while the company meets the article's procedural requirements.
That creates two separate tests. First is price: was daily storage above the consensual-tow rate. Second is process: did the company satisfy every required procedure during the storage period.
Could a case like this lead to payment?
A closely similar ArchCity towing suit against Calverton Park settled for $465,000, according to the Missouri Lawyers Media settlement report. The money was divided among over 100 people whose vehicles were towed from homes. That outcome shows municipal-tow claims can produce shared compensation. The University City allegations remain proposed class-action claims, according to Guessing Headlights.
They seek certification, damages and a declaration of constitutional violation. They are not court findings of liability or overcharge amounts. Certification is the court's decision to let plaintiffs proceed as a group. Without it, each owner must pursue an individual remedy.
What can you do over a smaller bill?
Individuals can pursue smaller overcharges in Missouri's Small Claims Division, according to the St. Louis County Courts small-claims booklet. It handles money claims up to $5,000 with or without an attorney.
That path fits one tow bill rather than a group case. Missouri consumers can also file an online complaint with the Attorney General, according to the State of Missouri. That office enforces the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and fair-marketplace laws. Use it to report a pattern even if you also file in small claims.
- Keep tow order, receipt, storage bill and photos of the parking spot.
- Record dates, private-property location and total paid or quoted.
- Flag storage above the consensual-tow rate or missing procedures.
- File the small-claims case or submit an Attorney General consumer complaint for a pattern.