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Your rights after a tow in Florida

Florida 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

On most private lots, a tow-away sign must stand at each driveway entrance, within 10 feet of the road. Lots without curbs need at least one sign for every 25 feet of frontage. Fla. Stat. 715.07(2)(a)5 (opens in a new tab)
The sign must say unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense, show the words "tow-away zone" in letters at least 4 inches tall, and list the tow company's name and current phone number. It must be posted at least 24 hours before a tow. Fla. Stat. 715.07(2)(a)5 (opens in a new tab)
Signs are not required at a single-family home, or if you were told in person that the spot was reserved and you could be towed. Small businesses with 20 or fewer spaces may use a shorter "customers only" sign. Fla. Stat. 715.07(2)(a)5 (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If you return while your car is being hooked up or towed, the driver must stop and give the car back. The fee for this can be no more than half the company's posted towing rate, and you must get a signed, itemized receipt. Fla. Stat. 715.07(2)(a)3 (opens in a new tab)

Where your car can be taken

The storage lot must be within 10 miles of where you were towed in counties with 500,000 or more people, and within 15 miles in smaller counties. If no tow company offers storage that close, the limits rise to 20 and 30 miles. Fla. Stat. 715.07(2)(a)1 (opens in a new tab)
The tow company must report the tow to city police, or the sheriff outside city limits, within 30 minutes. The report includes where the car is stored. Calling the police non-emergency line is the fastest way to find a private tow. Fla. Stat. 715.07(2)(a)2 (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

The storage lot must be open for pickups from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on any day the company is towing. When it is closed, it must post a phone number answered at all times, and someone must arrive within 1 hour of your call. Fla. Stat. 715.07(2)(a)1 (opens in a new tab)
Your car must be released within 1 hour of your request. Fla. Stat. 715.07(2)(a)9 (opens in a new tab)
You may inspect the car before you accept it. The company cannot make you sign away damage claims to get your car back, and it must give you a detailed receipt with its legal name. Fla. Stat. 715.07(2)(a)9 (opens in a new tab)
Write any damage on the release receipt before you sign. Under the lien law, damage you do not list at release may be treated as waived. Fla. Stat. 713.78(5) (opens in a new tab)
The registered owner or an agent can pick up the car with one government photo ID and a document such as the title or a lease or loan contract. An agent needs a written agreement from the owner, and the company may require that agreement to be notarized. Fla. Stat. 713.78(10), (17) (opens in a new tab)
You can inspect the car and take back loose personal belongings within 1 hour of showing a qualifying document during normal business hours, even before you pay. Fla. Stat. 713.78(10) (opens in a new tab)
The company must accept at least two of three payment types: cash-type payments such as cash or a cashier's check, bank or credit cards, and mobile or digital wallets. It cannot demand more than one photo ID. Fla. Stat. 713.78(19) (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

Florida counties must set maximum rates for towing from private property, and a city may set its own rates instead. The county or city must publish the rates online and run a complaint process for overcharges. Fla. Stat. 125.0103; 166.043 (opens in a new tab)
No storage fee may be charged if the car was stored less than 6 hours. Fla. Stat. 713.78(2)(b) (opens in a new tab)
The company must post a rate sheet at its lot and give it to you on request. A fee that is not on its rate sheet is treated as unreasonable. You can get an itemized invoice within 1 business day. Fla. Stat. 713.78(18), (20) (opens in a new tab)
The administrative fee for releasing a car from the company's lien is capped at $250. Fla. Stat. 713.78(15) (opens in a new tab)

Notice and auction deadlines

The company must mail a notice of lien by certified mail to the registered owner, insurer and any lienholder within 5 business days of storing the car. Fla. Stat. 713.78(4) (opens in a new tab)
An unclaimed car can be sold at public auction 35 days after it was stored if it is more than 3 model years old, or 57 days after if it is newer. Sale notice must be mailed at least 30 days before the sale. Fla. Stat. 713.78(4), (6) (opens in a new tab)

If you think the tow was wrong

You can get your car back before a court decides by posting a bond with the county court clerk for the charges claimed. You then have 45 days to file a case asking the court to decide whether the tow or the fees were wrongful. Fla. Stat. 713.78(5) (opens in a new tab)
Whoever improperly causes a car to be towed can be liable for the towing and storage costs, damages, attorney's fees and court costs. Fla. Stat. 715.07(4) (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

Your county or city towing complaint office. Counties and cities that set towing rates must investigate overcharge complaints. See your city page for the office.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Takes general consumer complaints, including for businesses it does not regulate. Phone 1-800-435-7352. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)

Florida small claims court handles money claims up to $8,000, not counting costs, interest and attorney's fees.

Check your tow

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-16. These are the laws and official pages this page is based on.