Here is the basic litmus test for towing.

If the owner/manager of the property where cars are being towed from is making a regular profit from towing, then it's predatory.

The only profit in towing should come to the tow company.

Once kickbacks are involved, then it's obviously a situation where tow companies are LOOKING to tow cars and are trying to find lot owners to report flimsy "violations" for a tow-for-profit scheme, rather than tow-out-of-necessity as it should be.

California recognized this, and put a smackdown on this situation by requiring an hour to pass in an otherwise public lot.

LOL @ anyone who thinks that these business owners in lie-in-wait tow schemes are just asserting their rights to keep unauthorized people out of their lots.