Small Claims Court With Landlord For (i Presume) Unlawful Tow?

Location: Orange County, CA

My effort is more so based on principle than for reimbursement/money (though I would not mind getting reimbursed).

So my car got towed from the spot I park in everyday because one night, my flimsy parking permit slipped from the rearview mirror and fell onto the passenger seat. My car was towed within 8 hours. My car is a registered vehicle with the property.
I asked my property manager why my car was towed without any notice of violation and if I could be reimbursed the $335 it costed to get my car back from the tow company.

Property manager informed me there is an Immediate Tow Policy. The Immediate Tow Policy is not mentioned on any signed documents, my lease agreement, or among the files accessible through the online resident portal. Immediate Tow Policy was not made known to me or my housemate.

Turns out their notice of this policy was provided to me during move-in … on a printed paper, obscured among a pile of advertisements and pamphlets such as google fiber, how to prevent mold, how to use garbage disposal, map of the property, nearby restaurants etc.
I remember sifting through this stack of general info during move-in and deciding it was a pile of things I don’t necessarily need to read through.

Anyways, there are no signs for towing posted anywhere on the premises. I had power of attorney (service I pay for with work) write me a demand letter, which was the most they could do.
Property’s lawyers responded asking for proof of representation by the firm that helped me write the letter. They also misstated my position, and falsely claimed there are tow signs around the property, and that the Immediate Tow Policy is in my lease agreement.

I’m just mad that this strict policy was not adequately informed. I park in good faith and have not violated parking otherwise. A flimsy permit falling one time should not result in a residents car being towed. I told the property manager that if I had known it would be so easy for them to tow residents cars, I would have superglued the permit to my windshield, to which he replied “some people do” ?

Should I go through small claims? This happened in January 2026 as well.. I’ve only found time now to bother with it again.