Questions about towing in Los Angeles

How much can a tow company charge for a private-property tow in Los Angeles?

The Board's TOPS Manual states that the Board-set towing and storage rates apply to all OPGs and to any private towing company operating in the City, for tows initiated by a public agency or a private party, except removals under a separate government contract ordered by that agency.

Source: L.A. Bd. of Police Comm'rs, Towing Operations & Policy Standards (TOPS) Manual sec. 100 (eff. Sept. 1, 2026) · Checked on September 27, 2026

The Board set uniform OPG towing and storage rates effective January 1, 2026: standard vehicle $220.00 first hour tow and $68.00 daily storage by credit card ($215.00 and $66.00 by other means), plus a new EV surcharge ($77.00/$75.00). OPG charges may not exceed these rates; Board Rule #9 and TOPS sec. 100 apply them as the cap for non-consent private tows in the City.

Source: L.A. Bd. of Police Comm'rs, OPG Towing & Storage Rates eff. Jan. 1, 2026 (TOPS Manual sec. 100; RFP 25-980-008 Addendum No. 1, Exhibit 3, citing BPC #25-326 and #25-355); OPG Agreement sec. 10.1(a); Board Rule #9 · Checked on September 27, 2026

The law defines a towing and/or storage charge for a private-property tow as 'excessive' if it exceeds the GREATER of: (i) what would have been charged for that towing/storage made at the request of the law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction in the city where the property is located (under that agency's agreement with a towing company), or (ii) the rate approved for that tow operator by the California Highway Patrol for that jurisdiction.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(i)(1)(A)(i)-(ii) · Checked on October 5, 2026

What can a storage lot charge for storage in Los Angeles?

The Board's rules require private-property impounds to be released at the fee recorded with the Board, with storage on daily rates and only one day's storage if release is requested more than four but within 24 hours after the vehicle arrives at storage.

Source: L.A. Bd. of Police Comm'rs, Rules Governing Tow Operations and Tow Operators Rule #5(b) (reissued eff. Sept. 1, 2026, TOPS Manual sec. 200) · Checked on September 27, 2026

The law limits storage charges: if the vehicle is released within 24 hours from when it was brought into the storage facility, regardless of calendar date, the storage charge may be for only one day; no more than one day's storage may be charged for a vehicle released the same day it was stored.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(i)(2) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law treats as presumptively unreasonable storage fees above 50 percent of the daily storage rate when a vehicle is recovered within the first four hours of storage.

Source: Veh. Code § 22524.5(c)(3)(K) · Checked on October 5, 2026

How long do I have to ask for a hearing after a police or city tow in Los Angeles?

The law requires the City to implement the state post-storage hearing procedure (Veh. Code 22852) whenever a vehicle is removed and stored under LAMC 80.77(d) or stored as provided in Veh. Code 22852.

Source: L.A. Mun. Code § 80.77(e) · Checked on September 27, 2026

The law requires, when a public agency directs storage of a vehicle, that notice of storage be mailed or personally delivered to the registered and legal owners within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays), stating the agency's name, address and phone; storage location and vehicle description (make, manufacturer, plate, mileage if available); the authority and purpose for removal; and that the owner must request a poststorage hearing in person, in writing, or by phone within 10 days of the notice date.

Source: Veh. Code § 22852(b) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law requires the agency or person directing a public-agency storage to give the registered and legal owners (or agents) the opportunity for a poststorage hearing on the validity of the storage, held within 48 hours of the request (excluding weekends and holidays), by a hearing officer who is not the person who directed the storage. If the hearing finds reasonable grounds for storage were not established, the agency pays the towing and storage costs.

Source: Veh. Code § 22852(a), (c), (e) · Checked on October 5, 2026

What are the rules for tow-away signs on private property in Los Angeles?

The law allows a City property owner or person in lawful possession to remove a vehicle parked without permission from property other than a single-family home only if a sign at least 24 inches by 24 inches is displayed in plain view stating that public parking is prohibited, that parked vehicles will be removed at the vehicle owner's expense, and giving an LAPD telephone number, which must be the same number the property owner uses to notify police of the intent to remove.

Source: L.A. Mun. Code § 80.71.4(c), (e) · Checked on September 27, 2026

For a private-property tow based on signage, the law requires a sign displayed in plain view at ALL entrances to the property, at least 17 x 22 inches, lettering at least 1 inch high, that (1) prohibits public parking, (2) says vehicles will be removed at the owner's expense, (3) gives the phone number of the local traffic law enforcement agency, and (4) gives the name and phone number of each towing company that has a written general towing authorization agreement with the property owner or person in lawful possession. Signage is one of four alternative circumstances in 22658(a) that allow removal.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(a)(1) · Checked on October 5, 2026

Where can I file a complaint about a tow in Los Angeles?

The law allows any person to file a verified written complaint with the Board of Police Commissioners, which may investigate the permittee and suspend (up to one year), revoke, or condition its permit; for tow matters LAPD directs the public to email an OPG Section complaint form.

Source: L.A. Mun. Code § 103.34 · Checked on September 27, 2026

The TOPS Manual sets the Board's towing complaint process: members of the public may file; CID's goal is to finish investigations in 60 days; CID issues a written finding (Sustained, Unsettled/Aggrieved, Not Resolved, Settled, Withdrawn or Unfounded); a party may appeal with new information.

Source: L.A. Bd. of Police Comm'rs, Towing Operations & Policy Standards (TOPS) Manual sec. 315 (eff. Sept. 1, 2026); Board Rule #18 · Checked on September 27, 2026

What forms of payment must the tow company or storage lot accept in Los Angeles?

The law requires the person operating or in charge of the storage facility to accept a valid bank credit card or cash for payment of towing and storage from the registered owner, legal owner, or owner's agent. The card must be in the name of the person presenting it. Retail-store credit cards are excluded.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(k)(1) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law gives the owner or agent the right to pay by cash, insurer's check, or a valid bank credit card; credit charges for towing and storage must comply with Civil Code § 1748.1 (no credit card surcharge).

Source: Veh. Code § 22651.07(c)(5) · Checked on October 5, 2026

Can I get my belongings out of the towed car in Los Angeles?

The OPG agreement requires a Board-approved notice, posted at the business office and primary yard, of how to view and photograph a stored vehicle and remove personal property; access must be given during business hours within 30 minutes at the primary yard, 2 hours at a secondary lot, or 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) at a satellite lot. The person must show identification and proof of authority.

Source: L.A. Bd. of Police Comm'rs, Official Police Garage Towing and Storage Agreement sec. 6.4(e) (2013 prototype agreement in force for current OPGs, e.g., Contract C-129787; same section in the 2026 template agreement, TOPS Manual App. A); OPG Rules (3/16) Rule 13 · Checked on September 27, 2026

The law gives the vehicle owner or agent the right, before paying any towing or storage fees, to receive personal property from the vehicle at no charge during normal business hours (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except state holidays).

Source: Veh. Code § 22651.07(c)(1) · Checked on October 5, 2026

What happens if I get back to my car before it is towed away in Los Angeles?

The Board's rules require a vehicle removed solely for where it is parked to be released at the scene without charge on request unless possession has been obtained; if possession was obtained but the vehicle has not left the property and is not in transit, it must be released immediately and unconditionally, with no more than half the regular tow rate for a 'field release'; release cannot be conditioned on payment; and non-consent tow and storage charges may not exceed the Board's rates.

Source: L.A. Bd. of Police Comm'rs, Rules Governing Tow Operations and Tow Operators Rule #9 (reissued eff. Sept. 1, 2026, TOPS Manual sec. 200) · Checked on September 27, 2026

The law provides that the tow company's possession arises only when the vehicle is removed from the private property and is in transit. If the owner or owner's agent asks before that, the towing company or its driver must immediately and unconditionally release the vehicle (the owner must then immediately move it to a lawful location).

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(g)(1)(A)-(C), (g)(2) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law limits the charge when the owner/agent returns after the vehicle is coupled to or lifted by the tow truck but before it is removed from the property: the towing company may charge not more than one-half of its regular towing charge. The regular towing charge may only be imposed after the vehicle has been removed from the property and is in transit.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(h) · Checked on October 5, 2026

How do I find out where my car was towed in Los Angeles?

The OPG agreement requires each OPG to feed the OPG Association's Vehicle Impound Information Center (or provide the same services itself) so the public can locate vehicles impounded by an OPG and determine the fees or liens owed.

Source: L.A. Bd. of Police Comm'rs, Official Police Garage Towing and Storage Agreement sec. 9.3 (2013 prototype agreement in force for current OPGs, e.g., Contract C-129787; same section in the 2026 template agreement, TOPS Manual App. A) · Checked on September 27, 2026

What rules apply when a car is booted in Los Angeles?

The law allows a peace officer or parking enforcement employee to immobilize (boot) a vehicle on a highway or public land that has five or more delinquent parking tickets (or five failure-to-pay/appear traffic notices), until the person furnishes identity, a California address, and satisfactory evidence the penalties and bail are paid (or demands a hearing before a magistrate or hearing examiner). It provides that no other person may immobilize a vehicle.

Source: Veh. Code § 22651.7(a)-(b) · Checked on October 5, 2026