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Your rights after a tow in Massachusetts

Massachusetts law sets rules for towing from private property, such as apartment complexes and store lots. One set of maximum rates applies across the state. Here is what the law says, in plain English.

Maximum charges in Massachusetts

$132.00

Most they can charge to tow a standard car from private property

$35.00

Most they can charge per day of storage

Other Massachusetts (statewide, DPU) maximums
Charge	Maximum
Storage in non-fenced outdoor lot (per 24h), half the statutory rate	$17.50
Each mile beyond the first 5	$4.40

The DPU maximum is $132 for a tow up to 5 miles, plus $4.40 per extra mile. Storage is capped at $35 per 24 hours at a lighted, fenced lot, and half that at other outdoor lots. Waiting-time and extra-vehicle charges do not apply to trespass tows. See the official Massachusetts (statewide, DPU) rates (opens in a new tab).

Pick your city

What has to happen before a tow

A car on private property can be removed only if the driver was told not to park there, either directly or by a posted notice, by whoever controls the property. The statute does not set sign size, wording or placement rules. M.G.L. c. 266, s. 120D (opens in a new tab)
Before the car is removed without the owner's consent, the property controller must notify the chief of police (the police commissioner in Boston). The notice is in writing unless police say otherwise and lists the pickup address, the destination address, the plate number, and the names of the property controller and the tower. M.G.L. c. 266, s. 120D (opens in a new tab)
A tower or property agent who skips the police notice or the owner's consent can be fined up to $100 each, and so can the employer. Police and the city are not liable for damage during the tow or storage. M.G.L. c. 266, s. 120D (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If you show up before the tow is completed, the tower may charge you half of the fee it usually charges for towing. The statute makes this optional for the tower, and it does not say the tower must stop and release the car. M.G.L. c. 266, s. 120D (opens in a new tab)

Where your car goes and how to find it

The law says only that the car must be stored in a convenient location. It gives no mileage limit. M.G.L. c. 266, s. 120D (opens in a new tab)
In Boston you can search the city's towed-car database by plate number (15 days of records) or call Boston Police at 617-343-4629 to learn which company has the car. M.G.L. c. 266, s. 120D; Boston.gov (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

A company that lawfully holds a removed car may keep it until the registered owner pays the allowed removal and storage charges. M.G.L. c. 266, s. 120D (opens in a new tab)
A tower or storage lot that did not follow the removal rules above must release the car to the owner without any removal or storage charge. M.G.L. c. 266, s. 120D (opens in a new tab)
The registered owner is liable for removal and storage only up to the state maximums, and only if the car was removed in compliance with the statute. M.G.L. c. 266, s. 120D (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

For a passenger car towed from private property, the maximum charge is $132.00 for a tow of up to 5 miles, at any time of day or week. The Department of Public Utilities sets this figure and it covers the first hour of service time. 220 CMR 272.03(1); M.G.L. c. 159B, s. 6B (opens in a new tab)
Beyond 5 miles, the tower may add $4.40 for each extra mile. A fuel surcharge may also apply, based on a factor the DPU publishes. 220 CMR 272.03(4), 272.05 (opens in a new tab)
Extra charges for waiting time past one hour and for an extra service vehicle do not apply to trespass tows. 220 CMR 272.03(2)-(3) (opens in a new tab)
Storage for a passenger vehicle is capped at $35 per 24-hour period, but only for a lighted outdoor lot enclosed by a secure fence at least 6 feet high. Other outdoor lots may charge only half of that. M.G.L. c. 159B, s. 6B (opens in a new tab)
A city or town may vote to set a lower maximum towing rate than the DPU maximum, but never a higher one. Check with your city or town. M.G.L. c. 159B, s. 6B (opens in a new tab)

Liens and sale of an unclaimed car

The storage facility has a lien for its allowed towing and storage charges, enforceable under the sale procedure in c. 255, s. 39A. M.G.L. c. 159B, s. 6B (opens in a new tab)
Under s. 39A, after 60 days unclaimed the garage may send a registered-mail notice saying the car will be sold if not claimed in 21 days. It then publishes notice for three weeks and tells local police 5 days before the sale. This section is written around police-placed storage, so how it applies to a private-property tow is not confirmed. M.G.L. c. 255, s. 39A (opens in a new tab)

Disputing a tow

The DPU regulates towing companies and takes complaints about tow companies, including overcharges. DPU role as described by the City of Boston (opens in a new tab)
Massachusetts small claims court handles most money claims up to $7,000, which can cover a wrongful tow or overcharge. M.G.L. c. 218, s. 21 (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

Massachusetts DPU towing complaint. The Department of Public Utilities regulates tow rates for trespass and police-ordered tows and accepts complaints about tow companies. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Local police department. The tower must notify police before removal; police can often tell you which company took your car. In Boston call 617-343-4629.

Massachusetts small claims procedure covers contract and tort claims up to $7,000 (higher limits apply to some other claim types).

Check your tow

Sources

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