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Your rights after a tow in Arkansas

Arkansas 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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Tow-away signs

A private lot may only remove unauthorized cars if a readable sign is prominently placed at each entrance to the lot. Ark. Code 27-51-1305 (opens in a new tab)
The sign must say who may park in the lot and that everyone else is prohibited. The state law does not set a minimum letter size or require the tow company or prices on the sign, but a city or county may add those requirements. Ark. Code 27-51-1305; 27-50-1101(a)(1)(B) (opens in a new tab)
Arkansas has no statewide price cap for private-property tows. Cities, towns and counties may set their own limits on towing and storage charges, how far the car can be taken, and whether the tow company must take cash and cards. Check your city's rules. Ark. Code 27-50-1101(a)(1)(B) (opens in a new tab)

Who can order the tow

The tow company must get a signed written statement from the property owner or agent before it removes your car. It must say the car was parked without permission, give the car's make, model and VIN, and name the tow company and where the car is going. Ark. Code 27-50-1101(a)(1)(C) (opens in a new tab)
A copy of that statement stays with the property owner or on-site agent, who must show it to anyone with an interest in the car who asks. The tow company must keep its copy for three years. Ark. Code 27-50-1101(a)(1)(D)-(E) (opens in a new tab)
The tow company may not pay the property owner or its agent any referral fee or other compensation for ordering the tow. Ark. Code 27-50-1101(a)(1)(H) (opens in a new tab)

After your car is towed

The tow company must tell the local police or sheriff about the tow within 2 hours of taking the car. Police keep a log, so calling the non-emergency line is a good way to find your car. Ark. Code 27-50-1101(a)(2)(A), (C) (opens in a new tab)
The tow company cannot charge storage for the time before it notifies police or the sheriff. After that, storage can be charged, with a storage day generally counted midnight to midnight. Ark. Code 27-50-1101(a)(2)(B); Board Rule 11 (opens in a new tab)
Arkansas law sets no statewide limit on how far your car can be taken, but cities and counties may limit the distance from the tow location to storage. Fayetteville reportedly limits it to 8 miles. Ark. Code 27-50-1101(a)(1)(B)(i)(a)(1) (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

You may use any other licensed towing company to reclaim your car from storage. The Board requires licensed storage firms to allow this. Ark. Code 27-50-1203(e)(1)(H) (opens in a new tab)
The tow company cannot hold certain items for payment, including personal and legal documents, medications, child car seats, wallets and purses, prescription glasses, prosthetics, cell phones, photographs and books. It must release them free of charge. Ark. Code 27-50-1208(a)(2)(B)-(C) (opens in a new tab)
Arkansas law does not require every tow company to take cards, but a city or county may require companies that tow from its private lots to accept cash, credit and debit cards. Ask what payment types are accepted before you go. Ark. Code 27-50-1101(a)(1)(B)(i)(a)(3) (opens in a new tab)
When you pick up the car, inspect it first and, if you see loss or damage, put it in writing on your receipt. The statute describes this receipt for vehicles released on a bond after a challenge. Ark. Code 27-50-1207(f)(3) (opens in a new tab)

Fees and billing

Every licensed towing company must post its current maximum rate schedule in a conspicuous place where the public can see it. Ark. Code 27-50-1203(e)(1)(G); Board Rule 4 (opens in a new tab)
You are entitled to an itemized invoice that explains how every towing, storage and related charge was calculated. The company must give you a duplicate on request. Ark. Code 27-50-1203(e)(1)(F); Board Rule 7.6 (opens in a new tab)
A tow company's charge for sending the required owner and lienholder notices cannot exceed $25 per notification round. Board Rule 10.3 (opens in a new tab)
Arkansas law has no rule letting you stop a tow in progress or capping a fee for doing so. Any such fee would come from a city or county ordinance or the company's own posted rates. Ark. Code 27-50-1101; 27-50-1203 (opens in a new tab)

Liens and sale of an unclaimed car

The tow company gets a lien on the car and must send certified-mail notice to the registered owner and lienholders. The notice must be mailed no sooner than 2 and no later than 8 business days after it receives the car. Ark. Code 27-50-1208(a)-(c) (opens in a new tab)
The notice must say storage costs are growing, identify the lien, and warn that the car will be sold or destroyed if not claimed within 45 days. It must also tell you that you can contest the tow. Ark. Code 27-50-1208(e) (opens in a new tab)
If you do not reclaim the car within 45 days after the notice is posted or published, you lose rights to it. The sale must be a public sale for cash, at least 15 days after written notice and with a newspaper ad at least 10 days before, and no later than 90 days after the lien is perfected. Ark. Code 27-50-1209(a), (b), (e), (f) (opens in a new tab)
If the sale brings in more than the charges, the extra money goes to the county clerk for the person entitled to it. If it brings in less, the tow company can still claim the shortfall from the owner. Ark. Code 27-50-1210 (opens in a new tab)

Contesting the tow or fees

If a car was removed at the direction of police or another agency, you have 30 days to seek review and may get the car out by posting a bond for the tow and storage charges. This procedure is written for official tows, so ask a court clerk or attorney whether it fits a private-lot tow. Ark. Code 27-50-1207(e)-(f) (opens in a new tab)
The Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board takes complaints about overcharging and illegal nonconsent tows. It aims to resolve a complaint within 45 days and can order refunds of actual losses, and civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. Ark. Code 27-50-1203(e); 27-50-1218 (opens in a new tab)
Violating the state private-tow law is a Class B misdemeanor, and a county or city attorney can refer a suspected violation to the Board. Ark. Code 27-50-1101(b)-(c) (opens in a new tab)
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)

Where to complain

Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board (Dept. of Labor and Licensing). File a Towing Complaint Form if you own the vehicle, hold a lien on it, or insure it. Bring proof of ownership and ID. The Board can investigate overcharging and illegal nonconsent tows, order restitution of actual losses, and fine the company. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Local police or sheriff. Police must be told of every private tow within 2 hours and keep a log. Call the non-emergency line to locate your car. Complaints filed with a police agency running a tow rotation are forwarded to the Board.

Each Arkansas district court has a small claims division for claims up to $5,000, not counting costs or interest. Attorneys are not allowed in small claims. You can sue for a wrongful tow or overcharge there, or file a Board complaint instead.

Check your tow

Sources

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