Victims of car theft in San Francisco have complained for years about the sky-high fees the city charges to get their cars back.

Those who have suffered the indignity of having their rides ripped off have faced a series of expensive hassles if police happen to find their cars. Typically, officers will order the vehicle towed from wherever its found if the owner fails to arrive at the scene within 20 minutes. That tow costs the owner a $225.25 fee for the city's contractor to haul the car to an impound lot near the Hall of Justice at Seventh and Bryant streets.

If owners don't pick up their stolen-and-now-towed vehicles within four hours, then they start racking up storage fees. That's $68.25 a day.

It's been even worse for nonresidents who have the misfortune to have cars recovered and towed in San Francisco. The city hits them with an extra $269 in fees.

All that is changing Tuesday.