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Your rights after a tow in Arizona

Arizona 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.

Pick your city

Tow-away signs

Unless a lot is posted with signs that are easy to read from anywhere in the parking area and at every entrance, the owner is treated as allowing free public parking there. This is the rule for towing inside a city or town. A.R.S. 9-499.05(B) (opens in a new tab)
The sign must state the parking restrictions, what happens to cars that break them, the maximum cost to the driver including storage and other charges, and a phone number and address where you can find your car. A.R.S. 9-499.05(B) (opens in a new tab)

Who must approve the tow

A tow company may not take a car from private property without the owner's consent unless police ask for it or it has the property owner's or agent's express written permission. The owner must sign each tow order or sign a written contract that runs for a set period, and the tow company cannot act as the owner's agent. A.R.S. 9-499.05(C); 11-251.04(C) (opens in a new tab)
Towing without that permission is a class 2 misdemeanor. A.R.S. 9-499.05(D) (opens in a new tab)
If a renter or lessee parks in a space the property owner authorizes, the car can be removed only if there is evidence it was abandoned. An expired registration alone does not prove abandonment. A.R.S. 28-4834(G) (opens in a new tab)

Telling police and finding your car

Anyone who tows or moves a car onto a storage lot without the owner's consent must phone the local police or sheriff before the tow, and the phone notice must happen within one hour of the move. Police must log it in the state crime database within three business days, so a call to the police non-emergency line is the fastest way to find your car. A.R.S. 28-4836(A)-(B) (opens in a new tab)
A tow company that skips the police notice loses all claims for towing and storage fees, and it is a class 1 misdemeanor. If you were charged anyway, say so when disputing the bill. A.R.S. 28-4836(C) (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

Arizona has no statewide price cap for private-property tows. Each city or town may set maximum tow and storage charges, and a county board may do so for unincorporated areas not covered by a city's rules. Check the sign and your city's code for the limit. A.R.S. 9-499.05(A); 11-251.04(A)-(B) (opens in a new tab)
In a city, the posted sign must list the maximum cost to the driver, including storage and other charges. Ask the company to point to that figure if your bill is higher. A.R.S. 9-499.05(B) (opens in a new tab)
A 2026 bill (HB2305) would have set statewide rates tied to the Department of Public Safety tow agreement, but the Governor vetoed it on June 19, 2026, so local rules still control. 2026 HB2305 (vetoed) (opens in a new tab)
The Department of Public Safety rate sheet applies to DPS-ordered tows, not to private-property tows, so it is not the legal cap for your tow unless your city adopted it. DPS Tow Service Program (opens in a new tab)

City rules that add protection

Tucson's ordinance requires standard signs, written permission from the property owner, photo evidence of the violation, and police notice within one hour. It also limits towing, after-hours and storage fees to the state DPS rate levels and says cars must be released when you show ID and ownership papers. Tucson Code 7-514, 7-528 (Ord. 12055) (opens in a new tab)
Tucson requires towers to accept cash and cards and bars them from demanding exact change. Other Arizona cities and the state have no card rule that we found. Tucson Code 7-514, 7-528 (opens in a new tab)
Phoenix's code limits a private-property tow, including related services, to $105 for a standard car and storage to $12 per day. Confirm against the current code, since we could only read a mirror of it. Phoenix City Code 36-144 (opens in a new tab)

If your car sits and is not claimed

A car left unattended 72 hours on public or private property is presumed abandoned. Towing and storage costs for an abandoned car are owed by the owner as reasonable costs. A.R.S. 28-4801(1); 28-4837(B) (opens in a new tab)
If nobody claims a car within 10 days, the person holding it must report it to the state Motor Vehicle Division within 5 days. The state then mails notice to owners and lienholders and gives 30 days to claim the car before ownership can transfer. A.R.S. 28-4838(A); 28-4841(B) (opens in a new tab)
The state sends the notice of intent to transfer ownership by mail within 5 days for in-state vehicles and within 30 days otherwise. If no address is found, it posts notice on its website for at least 30 days. A.R.S. 28-4841(B)-(C) (opens in a new tab)
To claim a held car you need a government photo ID plus one ownership document, such as the title, current registration, an insurance release, or proof of a lien. A.R.S. 28-4842(E) (opens in a new tab)
A storage lot that misses the 10-day-plus-5-day reporting deadline loses all claims for storage and commits a misdemeanor. A.R.S. 28-4839(B); 28-4838(B) (opens in a new tab)

Disputing the tow

We found no Arizona statute giving a quick hearing to contest a private-property tow. The usual route is to pay to get the car out, keep every receipt and sign photo, then sue in small claims court. A.R.S. 22-503 (opens in a new tab)
Arizona small claims court handles disputes up to $5,000 plus costs, and you cannot use it for injunctions or claims against government agencies. A.R.S. 22-503 (opens in a new tab)
If you paid by credit card, you can dispute a charge for a tow you believe was illegal with your card issuer. Do it promptly and keep your documents. FTC credit card dispute guidance (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Local police or sheriff (non-emergency line). Call to find out where a private tow went and to report a tow with no police notice or no written permission from the property owner.
Arizona Department of Public Safety Tow Program. Takes complaints about tow companies that hold DPS contracts, such as one company operating under several names. It does not set private-property rates. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
City of Tucson Private Property Towing Ordinance page. Explains Tucson's rules and enforcement for towing from private parking areas inside city limits. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)

Arizona small claims, heard in the justice court, covers claims up to $5,000 plus costs. Earlier notes said $3,500, but the current statute says $5,000.

Check your tow

Sources

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