CHAPEL HILL – The towing drama for Chapel Hill is not over yet. The Town sent out a notice Tuesday that it’s temporarily restricted from enforcing its towing ordinance due to a temporary stay order issued by the  N.C. Supreme Court. This order stops the enforcement of the Court of Appeals decision and reinstates the injunction against the Town’s towing ordinance pending the Supreme Court’s further consideration.

George’s Towing and Recovery on Tuesday filed paperwork to seek review by the NC Supreme Court of the June 4 decision of the NC Court of Appeals. That decision reversed Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson’s ruling , made in August 2012, that struck down Chapel Hill’s ordinance. The town originally adopted the ordinance in March 2012, but the ordinance never took effect because George King, operator of George’s Towing, challenged the Town Council.

The following information does not apply at this time, due to the most recent court decision:

The Town of Chapel Hill has taken action to address concerns from residents and visitors about potential predatory towing practices in Chapel Hill. The tow ordinance regulates any non-consensual tow from commercial non-residential property.

A few of the key changes that were enacted by the Town Council are that tow fees are regulated and capped by the Town; tow lots may not be located farther than 15 miles outside of town, and tow zones must be marked with required signage. Also, at the time of payment or vehicle release, towing companies must provide the person making payment with a copy of the “Town of Chapel Hill Towing Information Handout.”