Your rights when your car is towed, by state

The most a company may charge for a police-ordered or private-property tow, and the rules for towing from a private lot, state by state, each from the state's own page.

Updated October 6, 202645 official sources

On this page2 sections

1What the states say
2Where to complain

When you call a tow company yourself, you agree a price with it. When the police order a tow, or a property owner has your car towed from a private lot, you didn't choose the company, and many states set rules for those tows: how the lot must be posted, who has to be told, and the most the company may charge. These limits apply only to those tows, not to a tow you call.

What the states say

The table lists the states where the research found these rules on an official page. A state that isn't listed may still have rules, and your city or county can set its own. Each state's towing rules page on this site has the rest of what was found.

Pick your state's rules page

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

State	Limits and rules for police and private-lot tows
California	California sets no single statewide figure for private property tows. A tow or storage charge counts as excessive when it's above the greater of the local police agency towing rate for that city or county or the rate the operator has approved by the California Highway Patrol.¹ In California, signs at least 17 by 22 inches at every entrance must name the police agency and the towing company, or meet another ground the law lists. The property owner must authorize the tow in writing and call local police within one hour of authorizing it. If the vehicle's owner returns before it leaves the property, it must be released, and the drop charge is at most half the regular tow charge.¹
Colorado	In Colorado, the most a company may charge for a private property impound of a vehicle of 10,000 pounds or less is $250.91. For a light-duty tow ordered by law enforcement, the most is $286.15 an hour. The figures are as of March 15, 2026.²
Connecticut	In Connecticut, the most a company may charge for a trespass tow from private property of a vehicle under 10,000 pounds is a $130.63 base, which includes two loaded miles, plus $6.65 a mile. For medium duty the most is $200, and for heavy duty $350. For tows ordered by police, the most is a $125 base for light duty, and $400 an hour for medium duty and $700 an hour for heavy duty. The figures are as of January 1, 2026 for private-property tows; July 1, 2025 for police-ordered tows.^3-5
Delaware	Delaware sets no fixed dollar figure for tows of vehicles of 5,000 pounds or less from private lots. The fee must be reasonable, and it's presumed excessive if it's more than 25% above the company's own consent tow fee or 50% above the county's usual fee. The most a company may charge for an after-hours release is $50.⁶ In Delaware, signs at every entrance must state the permitted parking, the tow and storage charges and the storage lot's address, in letters at least one inch tall. The tower must photograph the violation and have the lot owner's prior written authorization. There's no fee if the owner returns before the vehicle is hooked up, and after hookup the drop fee is at most 50% of the tow fee.⁶
Florida	Florida has no statewide limit on private property tow charges. Counties and cities may set maximum rates for private property tows and for wrecker rotation tows.⁷ In Florida, tow-away zone signs with lettering at least 4 inches tall must be posted at least 24 hours before towing, with the rate schedule filed with local police. The tower must notify police or the sheriff within 30 minutes after the tow. If the owner returns during the tow, the vehicle must be released for no more than half the posted tow rate, and a towed vehicle must be released within one hour of a request.⁷
Georgia	In Georgia, the most a company may charge for removing a vehicle in a private property trespass tow is $228 for a vehicle of 10,000 pounds GVWR or less and $390 up to 20,000 pounds. Above that the most is $585 per unit, or $1,105 for a combination. Cities may set lower maximums. The figures are as of June 17, 2024.⁸ In Georgia, the tariff rates apply only where the property posts signs that meet state rules, and small residential properties of up to four units are exempt. The towing company needs a contract or signed authorization. If the owner returns with the key after hookup but before the vehicle leaves, the operator fee is at most $130 for a vehicle under 20,000 pounds.⁸
Maryland	In Maryland, unless local law sets a different limit, the most a company may charge for a parking lot tow is twice the local public safety impound tow fee. If the county or city sets no such fee, the most is $250 for towing and recovery.⁹ In Maryland, the tower needs the lot owner's authorization naming the person who authorized the tow, and photos of the violation. The tower must notify local police within one hour after the tow, and the owner, insurer and lienholder by certified mail within seven days. Spotters and payments to lot owners are banned.⁹
Massachusetts	In Massachusetts, the most a company may charge for a trespass tow or a tow ordered by police of a passenger car is $132 for up to five miles, including one hour of service or waiting time. Beyond five miles the most is $4.40 a mile, and extra time is capped at $51 per half hour. The figures are as of December 13, 2023.¹⁰ In Massachusetts, the property controller must forbid parking, either directly or by a posted notice. Before any vehicle is removed, the controller must notify the local police chief, in writing unless the chief says otherwise, giving the from and to addresses, the plate number and the towing company.¹¹
Minnesota	In Minnesota, a vehicle on private nonresidential property can be towed immediately if the lot is properly posted, and after 24 hours if it isn't. On residential property an immediate tow is allowed if it's a single-family home or duplex, or if it's posted. Only the vehicle owner or the property owner or agent may request a tow.^12-13
Missouri	Missouri has no statewide cap on tow charges. Counties and cities may set maximum reasonable towing and storage charges by ordinance.¹⁴ In Missouri, the tower needs written authorization from the property owner or agent and must keep it for one year. A standing authorization is allowed only for fire lanes and within 15 feet of a hydrant. If the owner returns before the vehicle leaves, the charge is at most half the regular tow charge, and the registered owner must get written notice within five working days.¹⁴
Nevada	In Nevada, a tow requested by someone other than the vehicle owner or police needs a signed, specific request from the property owner or agent. The tow operator can't act as the agent except under a residential complex contract. The area must be posted under state or local rules, notice goes to law enforcement under those rules, and police may order the tow stopped.¹⁵
New Hampshire	New Hampshire sets no fixed figure. Fees for tows ordered by an authorized official, including private property removals, must be reasonable. The owner can pay and ask the Commissioner of Safety for a review within 30 days of the invoice.¹⁶ In New Hampshire, the property owner may have a vehicle removed if they notify a peace officer as soon as reasonably possible, or ask police to remove it. Parking lots and garages can't pass towing and storage charges to the vehicle owner unless a conspicuous notice says illegally parked vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense.¹⁶
New Mexico	In New Mexico, a trespass tow needs prior written authorization signed by the property owner, lessee or agent stating that the vehicle is illegally parked. The tower must photograph the vehicle's position first. Commercial and apartment properties must post signs giving the exact restricted hours, and the tower must photograph the signs.¹⁷
North Carolina	The research found no statewide cap in North Carolina's private lot towing law. Counties and cities may regulate private lot towing by ordinance.¹⁸ In North Carolina, private lots must post signs at least 24 by 24 inches at every entrance that name the towing company and its phone number. Vehicles must be stored within 15 miles, or 25 miles if there's nothing closer. A release waiver beyond a receipt may not be required.¹⁸
Ohio	In Ohio, the most a company may charge for a tow from a private tow-away zone is $144 for a vehicle under 10,001 pounds GVWR, $247 for 10,001 to 26,000 pounds and $410 over 26,000 pounds. The figures are as of January 1, 2026.¹⁹ In Ohio, signs at least 18 by 24 inches must be visible from all entrances. The tower needs a written contract with the property owner, must photograph the violation, and must notify the sheriff or local police within two hours. If the owner arrives before removal, the vehicle is released for no more than half the removal fee.²⁰
Oklahoma	In Oklahoma, for all nonconsensual tows, the most a company may charge for a hookup is $108.06 for a vehicle of 8,000 pounds or less and $124.69 up to 12,000 pounds. For light duty the most is $4.99 a mile for the first 25 miles or $99.75 an hour. The most for a drop fee on a private property impound under 10,000 pounds GVWR is $99.75, and a fuel surcharge is allowed. The figures are as of June 1, 2024.^21-22
Oregon	In Oregon, each city or county may set maximum rates, including hookup and storage, for tows requested by someone other than the vehicle owner. Without such a rate, a company may not charge more than the prices it disclosed.²³ In Oregon, a sign in plain view must prohibit or restrict public parking. The tower needs signed authorization from the lot owner at the time of the tow, must photograph the vehicle first, and must notify local police within one hour of storing it. If the owner is present, release is free before hookup and costs at most the hookup charge after.²³
Rhode Island	In Rhode Island, the property owner must retain a certificated tower in writing and direct each removal in writing. The impound lot must be within 10 miles and open for release during the same hours it receives vehicles. Charges follow the published tariff.²⁴
Texas	In Texas, the most a company may charge for a tow from private property is $272 for a vehicle up to 10,000 pounds, $380 for one over 10,000 and under 25,000 pounds, and $489 per unit, with a $978 maximum, over 25,000 pounds. The most for a drop fee is $135 for a vehicle up to 10,000 pounds. Cities and counties may set lower fees within those maximums, and limits on tows ordered by police are set locally.²⁵
Utah	In Utah, the most a company may charge for a private property impound is $211 for a vehicle of 10,000 pounds or less, $352 up to 26,000 pounds and $435 above that. For tows generated by police, the most is $211, $352 or $435 an hour for those same weight classes. The figures are as of 2026.²⁶ In Utah, property owners set the rules and contract with a tower, and UDOT publishes the signs required for private property impounds. There's no fee if the owner returns before the tower has possession, and once the vehicle is hooked up but not yet removed the drop fee is at most 50% of the posted rate. Towed vehicles must be stored in the same county and reported to the Motor Vehicle Division before fees are collected.²⁷
Virginia	In Virginia, the most a company may charge for the hookup and initial tow of a passenger car from private property is $210. It may add up to $30 per instance, at most two, for tows between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m., on weekends and on holidays. A local ordinance may set different limits.^28-29 In Virginia, signs at all lot entrances must say unauthorized vehicles will be towed and give the police nonemergency number or the tower's number, unless a local ordinance governs signs. The tower must notify State Police or local police of the tow. If the owner removes the vehicle before it's actually towed, the fee is at most $25 or a local limit.³⁰
Washington	The research found no statewide dollar figure for tow charges in Washington. Each registered tow truck operator files a fee schedule with the Department of Licensing and may not charge above it, and tow fees are hourly after the first hour.³¹ In Washington, a nonresidential private lot needs signs at each entrance before a vehicle parked there for under 24 hours can be towed. Residential property is exempt from the sign rule with written authorization. The person requesting a private impound signs an authorization at the time and place of the impound, and the tower gives law enforcement immediate notice.^32-34
Wisconsin	In Wisconsin, the most a company may charge for a private property tow is $150 for removal. It may add up to $150 for special equipment or for mileage over 20 miles, at $3 a mile.³⁵ In Wisconsin, the posted notice must meet the state's sign rules. Before removing a vehicle, the tower must notify the local police or sheriff, and it may collect nothing if it doesn't. A municipality may add a service fee of up to $35.³⁵

Where to complain

If a charge looks wrong, keep the receipt and take photos of the car. These are the offices the research found named for tow complaints:

Connecticut. Complaints about a tow go to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, Consumer Complaint Center.³⁶
Delaware. Complaints about a tow go to the Delaware Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Unit.⁶
Georgia. Complaints about a private property tow go to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Compliance Section.³⁷
Illinois. Complaints about a relocation tow in the covered counties go to the Illinois Commerce Commission. Outside those counties, they go to local authorities.³⁸
Louisiana. Complaints about licensed towing and storage facilities go to the Louisiana State Police, Towing and Recovery Unit.³⁹
Massachusetts. Complaints about an involuntary tow go to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, Transportation Oversight Division. Complaints about a tow ordered by police go to the State Police.⁴⁰
Nevada. Complaints about a tow go to the Nevada Transportation Authority.¹⁵
New Hampshire. Requests to review a tow fee go to the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Commissioner of Safety.¹⁶
New Mexico. Complaints about a tow go to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, Transportation Regulation Bureau, Compliance Unit.⁴¹
Ohio. Complaints about a tow go to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.⁴²
Oklahoma. Complaints about nonconsensual tow rates go to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Other wrecker complaints go to the Department of Public Safety, Wrecker Services.²²
Oregon. Complaints about a tow go to the city or county that set the maximum rates, which must run a complaint process.²³
Texas. Complaints about a tow go to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.⁴³
Utah. Complaints about a tow go to the Utah Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Division.²⁷
West Virginia. Complaints about a tow go to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.^44-45

This is a summary of the published rules, not legal advice.

State statutes, rules and agency fee schedules, checked October 2026.

Your rights when your car is towed, by state

What the states say

Where to complain

Sources (45)

Find tow companies in your county