Towed despite having a parking permit? Here is what to do
You walk out to the lot and your car is gone, even though you have a parking permit for your apartment complex, office, or campus. Now you are paying to get it back and wondering whether the tow was allowed at all.
Permit tows usually happen because of a mismatch in records or rules, and many can be challenged. This guide covers why it happens, the rules in several large states, how to challenge a tow, and which documents help. It is general information, not legal advice.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Permit tows often come down to records: whether the permit was valid, visible, and matched the vehicle and space.
- Many states require warning signs before private-property tows and let you stop a tow in progress by paying a reduced “drop” fee.
- Get your car back first, keep every receipt, and document the scene. You can challenge the tow afterward.
- Some states give you a formal hearing. In Texas, you can request a tow hearing in justice court, but the deadline is short.
Why cars with permits get towed
A permit does not always settle the question. Common reasons include:
- The permit was not visible. A hang tag fell, a sticker was on the wrong window, or a digital permit did not show up in the tow operator’s system.
- The permit had expired or had not been renewed after a lease or employment change.
- The permit did not match the car. The plate or vehicle on file was different, for example after you replaced a car or borrowed one.
- The car was in the wrong place: an assigned space, a fire lane, a visitor area, or a lot the permit does not cover.
- A records or contract error. The property manager, homeowners association, or towing company had an outdated list, or the tow was not properly authorized.
If the tow happened because of the property’s mistake, you may have a strong case for getting your money back.
What state law often requires
Private-property towing is mostly regulated by states and local governments. Many states require warning signs, limit what can be charged, and set rules for releasing your car. Here is how three large states handle it:
| State | Warning signs | If you return before the car leaves | Ways to challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Required at all entrances, at least 17 by 22 inches | The tow company must release the car on request. If it is already hitched, the fee is capped at half the regular towing fee. | A property owner who skips the sign, notice, or authorization rules can be liable for double the towing or storage charges |
| Texas | Required; photos of the signs are part of a hearing request | If the car is not fully hooked up, you can keep it with no charge. If it is fully hooked up but still on the lot, you pay a drop fee. | Request a tow hearing at a justice of the peace court in the county of the tow within 14 days; complaints go to TDLR |
| Florida | Required at each entrance, “tow-away zone” in letters at least 4 inches high, posted at least 24 hours before towing | The tower must stop, and the fee is capped at half the posted towing rate, with a signed receipt | A person who improperly causes a tow can be liable for costs, damages, attorney’s fees, and court costs |
Summary as of October 2026. Cities and counties often add their own towing rules and fee limits. Check the linked source or your local consumer protection office.
Florida also requires towed vehicles to be stored within a set distance of where they were removed, released within one hour of your request during required hours, and returned without forcing you to sign a waiver of damage claims. In California, the property owner must notify local police within one hour of authorizing a tow.
What to do right away
- Confirm it was towed, not stolen. Call the number on the parking signs or the property office. If you cannot find the car, contact local police.
- If the tow is still in progress, ask for the car back. In many states, you can stop a tow before the car leaves the lot, sometimes for a reduced fee.
- Photograph the scene: the signs at each entrance (or the lack of them), where you parked, space markings, and your permit.
- Get your car back promptly. Storage fees often add up daily. Pay what is required, get an itemized receipt, and inspect the car for damage before you leave. Note any damage in writing and photograph it.
- Collect your permit records: the permit itself, your lease or parking agreement, renewal emails, and any vehicle registration on file with the property.
How to challenge the tow
Start with the property
Ask the property manager, homeowners association, or employer in writing why your car was towed and who authorized it. Explain that you had a valid permit and attach your proof. If the tow resulted from their records error, ask them to reimburse the towing and storage charges.
Use your state’s process
Some states have a formal process. In Texas, you can request a tow hearing at a justice of the peace court in the county where the car was towed, but you must file within 14 days. Include photos of the signs, or a statement that no sign was posted. Other states rely on complaints to a regulator, the police, or small claims court.
File a complaint
Your state or city may license towing companies and take complaints. In Texas, that is the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Elsewhere, check with your state attorney general, local consumer protection office, or police department.
Consider small claims court
If the property or towing company will not reimburse you, small claims court is often a practical option for recovering towing and storage charges. Bring your permit records, photos, receipts, and any written responses.
Documents that help
- Your parking permit, and proof it was valid on the date of the tow
- Your lease, parking agreement, or permit rules
- Photos of where you parked, the signs, and your permit display
- The itemized towing and storage receipt
- Emails or letters with the property manager or towing company
- Photos of any damage to the car
Frequently asked questions
Can my apartment tow my car if I have a parking permit?
A property can usually tow cars that violate its posted rules, even if the driver has a permit, for example when parked in the wrong space or with an expired permit. If your permit was valid and you followed the rules, the tow may not have been justified, and you may be able to recover the costs.
Do I have to pay to get my car back if the tow was wrong?
Usually, yes, at least at first. Pay to stop storage fees from growing, keep the receipt, and challenge the tow afterward through the property, your state’s process, or small claims court.
Can I stop a tow in progress?
In many states, yes. California, Texas, and Florida all have rules for releasing a car before it leaves the property, sometimes for a reduced fee capped at half the regular towing fee.
How long do I have to challenge a tow?
It depends on the state. In Texas, you must request a tow hearing within 14 days. Other deadlines, such as for small claims cases, vary, so act quickly.
What if my car was damaged during the tow?
Inspect the car before leaving the storage lot, photograph any damage, and note it in writing. In Florida, a towing company cannot require you to sign a waiver of damage claims to get your car back.
Sources
- California Vehicle Code § 22658 (private-property towing)
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Towing Consumer Information
- Florida Statutes § 715.07 (vehicles parked on private property)
More coverage is in our Consumer Rights section. This article is general information, not legal advice. See our Legal Disclaimer. Spot an error? Read our Corrections Policy.
