Towed From a Parking Lot? What to Do When a Private Company Takes Your Car

Updated Jul 2026 · 6 min read

When you come back to an empty parking spot

You walk back to where you left your car and it is gone. Before you assume the worst, look around for a sign near the entrance or at the back of the lot. Private lots almost always post the name of the company they use and a phone number to call. If your car was parked on private property, a fire lane, a reserved space, or a lot that requires a permit, there is a good chance it was towed rather than stolen.

This is a different situation from a tow after a crash or a police-ordered tow. A private-property tow happens because the property owner, not the police, asked a company to remove the vehicle. The rules that apply are different, the company holding your car is different, and what you can do about it is different too. Here is how to get your car back and how to tell whether the tow was fair.

First, confirm it was towed and not stolen

Call the non-emergency police line for the city or the local sheriff. Towing companies are usually required to report a tow to law enforcement shortly after they haul a vehicle away, so the dispatcher can often tell you whether your car was towed and which company has it. If there is no record of a tow, treat it as a possible theft and file a report.

Have your license plate number and the make and model ready. If you keep a photo of your plate or registration on your phone, this is the moment it pays off.

Find out who is holding your car

Once you know the company name, call them directly. Ask three things: where the car is being stored, what their hours are, and exactly what you need to bring to release it. Storage yards are not always staffed around the clock, and showing up after hours can mean another day of storage charges before you can collect the vehicle.

Most yards will only release a car to the registered owner or someone with written permission from the owner. Bring your driver's license, proof that the car is yours such as the registration or title, and the current insurance card if you have it. If the car is registered to someone else, call ahead and ask what they will accept, because the rules vary from one company to the next.

What it costs to get it back

Expect to pay a towing charge plus a storage fee, and expect the storage fee to grow for every day the car sits in the yard. Because of that, getting there quickly saves you money. Ask the company for an itemized breakdown of the charges before you pay, and ask which forms of payment they take. Some yards only accept cash or a card, and being caught short at the gate can cost you an extra day.

If the total seems far higher than you expected, that is worth questioning. Many states cap what a private tow company can charge and require them to give you an itemized receipt, so ask for one even if they do not offer it.

Check whether the tow was actually legal

A private-property tow is not automatically valid just because it happened. Rules differ by state and sometimes by city, but there are a few things worth checking:

• Signage. Many places require clear, visible signs at the lot entrance stating that unauthorized vehicles will be towed, along with the company's name and phone number. If there was no sign, or it was hidden, that can matter.
• Authorization. In some areas a property owner or manager has to specifically authorize each tow, rather than giving a company standing permission to patrol and grab cars.
• Notice and reporting. The company usually has to notify law enforcement within a set window and store the vehicle at a location within a reasonable distance.
• The receipt. You are often entitled to an itemized receipt showing the tow fee, storage, and any other charges.

Write down what you remember about the lot while it is fresh. If you can, go back and photograph the signs, or the lack of them, and your parking spot.

Pay first, dispute later

Here is the frustrating part. In most cases you will need to pay the full amount to get your car released, even if you believe the tow was wrong. Refusing to pay usually just leaves your car in the yard while the storage charges climb. Pay what they ask, keep every receipt, and then pursue the dispute afterward.

Once the car is safely back with you, you have options. You can file a complaint with the state agency or city office that regulates towing companies, which in many places is a consumer protection division, a department of motor vehicles, or a local licensing board. If you were overcharged or towed without proper signage, that complaint can lead to a refund or action against the company. For a larger dispute, small claims court is designed for exactly this kind of case and does not require a lawyer.

How to keep it from happening again

A few habits go a long way. Read the signs before you leave your car, especially in lots attached to apartments, businesses that are closed, and permit-only areas. "Customer parking only" often means your car has to leave when the business does. If you are visiting someone in an apartment complex, ask whether guest parking needs a pass, because unpermitted cars in resident lots are a common target.

Avoid parking in spaces marked for specific tenants, in fire lanes, or across two spots. And keep a photo of your plate, registration, and insurance card on your phone. If you ever do get towed, having those details ready turns a long, stressful afternoon into a shorter one.

Getting your car back from a private tow is mostly a matter of moving fast, bringing the right paperwork, and keeping your receipts. Sort out the release first, then decide whether the tow was fair and whether it is worth challenging.