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Your rights after a tow in Iowa

Iowa 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

Iowa's towing statute does not require a tow-away sign before a car is towed from private property. We found no state rule on sign placement, so a missing sign does not by itself make a tow illegal under state law. Iowa Code 321.89 (opens in a new tab)
Because the statute sets no sign requirements, nothing in state law says what a sign must say or how soon before a tow it must be posted. Check whether your city or the property's lease sets its own sign rule. Iowa Code 321.89 (opens in a new tab)

When a private tow is allowed

A vehicle parked on private property without the owner's consent for more than 24 hours counts as an abandoned vehicle under state law. Iowa Code 321.89(1)(a)(3) (opens in a new tab)
A property owner can hire a tow company (a garagekeeper) to take an abandoned vehicle without waiting for police to start the process. Iowa Code 321.89(2) (opens in a new tab)
The statute sets no deadline for a tow company to report a private-property tow to police. If you cannot find your car, call the local police non-emergency line to ask whether it was reported. Iowa Code 321.89 (opens in a new tab)

Fees and payment

Iowa law sets no maximum tow, storage, or administrative fee for private-property tows that we could find, and it does not require a posted rate sheet. Ask for an itemized bill and compare it with what the company quoted. Iowa Code 321.89 (opens in a new tab)
Iowa law does not give you a right to get your car back at a reduced or no fee if you arrive while it is still being hooked up. The company can ask for its full charges. Iowa Code 321.89 (opens in a new tab)
The statute does not require a tow or storage company to accept credit or debit cards. To reclaim the car you must pay all towing, preservation, and storage charges plus the cost of the notice. Iowa Code 321.89(3)(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)
State law bars city rules that conflict with the motor vehicle chapter, but we did not find a state grant of authority for cities to cap private-property tow rates. Check your city's code, since a news report says Des Moines had not adopted a private-tow ordinance as of late 2024. Iowa Code 321.236 (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

Before driving the car away, the person reclaiming it must show a valid driver's license and proof of insurance. Bring both, even if you are the registered owner. Iowa Code 321.89(4) (opens in a new tab)
You have the right to reclaim personal property inside the vehicle within 10 days of the notice, after paying the tow, storage, and notice charges. The statute does not say you can get items out for free. Iowa Code 321.89(3)(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)
Iowa law sets no required pickup hours for tow yards. Call ahead and ask when the company releases vehicles, and write down who you spoke to. Iowa Code 321.89 (opens in a new tab)
The statute sets no deadline for how quickly a company must release a car once you arrive and pay. Document the time you arrived and the time the car was released. Iowa Code 321.89 (opens in a new tab)
Iowa law has no rule letting you inspect the car before paying or banning a company from making you sign a waiver. Photograph the car before you pay, and note any damage in writing. Iowa Code 321.89 (opens in a new tab)
A tow company that follows the notice and sale steps is shielded from damage claims for removing, selling, or disposing of the vehicle. If the company skipped those steps, that protection may not apply, so keep your photos and bills. Iowa Code 321.91(1) (opens in a new tab)

Notice, liens, and sale

A tow company must send notice by certified mail within 20 days after taking the car, to the registered owner and any lienholders. The notice must give the vehicle details, where it is held, and your right to reclaim it, and it is treated as given when mailed. Iowa Code 321.89(3)(a)-(b) (opens in a new tab)
If a private company took the car on its own, the notice must say it may claim a garagekeeper's lien and may sell the vehicle. A lien lets the company hold the car until its charges are paid. Iowa Code 321.89(3)(c) (opens in a new tab)
If you do not reclaim the car or personal items within 10 days of the notice, you give up your rights in them. The company may then sell the car at public auction or send it to a demolisher for scrap. Iowa Code 321.89(3)(b), (3)(e), (5)(a) (opens in a new tab)
If the company cannot work out who the owner is or where to send mail, one newspaper notice is enough. If you suspect your car was towed, call police promptly instead of waiting for a letter. Iowa Code 321.89(3)(g) (opens in a new tab)

Contesting a tow

The statute gives an evidentiary hearing only when the police authority took the car or hired the tow company. For a tow arranged only by a private property owner, no hearing route is written into this law, so your options are negotiation, a complaint, or court. Iowa Code 321.89(3)(d) (opens in a new tab)
You can sue for money you believe you were wrongly charged in small claims court if the amount is $6,500 or less. Bring your receipts, photos, and notice letter. Iowa Code 631.1(1)(b) (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

Iowa Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division. File a consumer complaint online, by phone at 515-281-5926 (888-777-4590 outside Des Moines), or by email at consumer@ag.iowa.gov. The AG form covers most marketplace complaints; the page does not mention towing specifically. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)

Small claims court in Iowa handles money claims up to $6,500, not counting interest and costs, for cases filed on or after July 1, 2018. It also covers replevin (recovering property) claims up to the same value.

Check your tow

Sources

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