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Your rights after a tow in Alaska

Alaska law sets rules for towing from private property, such as apartment complexes and store lots. Counties and cities set the maximum rates. Here is what the law says, in plain English.

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Who can tow and when

A towing business that tows or stores your car gets a possessory lien, meaning it can keep the car until it is paid. The lien arises when the tow was done under a contract with you or at the direction of a person entitled to possession of the property where the car was parked without consent. AS 28.10.502(a) (opens in a new tab)
The lien covers only towing and storage charges plus mailing fees. Other charges are not part of the lien. AS 28.10.502(b) (opens in a new tab)
A registered car left on private property without the owner's consent for more than 24 hours may be removed and treated as abandoned. A wrecked or junk vehicle can be treated this way after 24 hours too. AS 28.11.020 (opens in a new tab)
Removing an abandoned vehicle from private property under the abandoned-vehicle chapter must be on the property owner's written request, using a state form, and a peace officer or authorized state or municipal employee does the removal. AS 28.11.030(a)-(b) (opens in a new tab)

Notice you should receive

Unless you have already reclaimed the car, the tower must send a certified letter to the registered owner and primary lienholder within seven working days of the first tow or storage. It goes to the address on file with the state motor vehicle department. AS 28.10.502(b) (opens in a new tab)
Storage charges stop counting toward the lien after 60 days unless you were given actual notice of the lien in that time or the certified letter was mailed on time. AS 28.10.502(b) (opens in a new tab)
For a car stored under the abandoned-vehicle chapter, the storing company must notify the owner and lienholders within 30 days, giving the reason for removal and where the car is held. AS 28.11.040 (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

You can redeem a car removed under the abandoned-vehicle chapter any time before the auction by showing proof of ownership or right to possession and paying towing, storage, notice and other impoundment costs and any penalty. AS 28.11.060 (opens in a new tab)
You must present satisfactory proof of ownership or right to possession to redeem a car removed under the abandoned-vehicle chapter. AS 28.11.060 (opens in a new tab)

If the car is not claimed

Under the towing lien, a car unclaimed for 30 days must be sold after 20 days notice of the sale. The notice must be served on the owner and lienholders, or mailed certified if they cannot be found. AS 28.10.502(c) (opens in a new tab)
The sale notice must describe the car with plate and VIN, give the time and place of sale, state the amount owed, and name who is owed. AS 28.10.502(c) (opens in a new tab)
Sale money pays sale costs first, then the lawful lien charges. Leftover proceeds go to the state motor vehicle department for the owner or lienholder. AS 28.10.502(d) (opens in a new tab)
Under the abandoned-vehicle chapter, a car can be scrapped or auctioned 20 days after notice of the auction is published in a local newspaper. Title vests in the state or municipality if not reclaimed within 15 days of the owner notice. AS 28.11.050; AS 28.11.070(a) (opens in a new tab)
A private property owner can claim title to a car left without consent for 30 days, but must give notice to the owner and lienholders and wait 30 days after that notice. AS 28.11.025 (opens in a new tab)

Disputes and money back

If you paid by credit card, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. For billing errors, your written dispute generally must reach the issuer within 60 days of the first bill showing the charge. Whether a tow charge qualifies is up to the issuer. Fair Credit Billing Act (FTC guidance) (opens in a new tab)
Alaska small claims court hears claims up to $10,000, not counting costs, interest and attorney fees, if you ask for small claims treatment. This is one route to recover an improper tow charge. AS 22.15.040(a) (opens in a new tab)
Alaska state law reviewed here sets no maximum private-property tow rate. Check whether your city or borough has its own tow ordinance. Not found in AS 28.10.502 or AS 28.11 (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Alaska Attorney General, Consumer Protection. Files and informally mediates complaints about unfair or deceptive business practices. It does not represent individual consumers. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)

Small claims in Alaska district court cover claims up to $10,000, excluding costs, interest and attorney fees, when you request small claims handling.

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Sources

Last checked 2026-10-17. These are the laws and official pages this page is based on.