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Your rights after a tow in New Jersey

New Jersey 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 company may tow from a private lot without your consent only if a sign at least 36 inches by 36 inches is posted in a conspicuous place at every vehicular entrance. A single-family lot, an owner-occupied building of six units or fewer, and a car blocking a driveway or garage entrance are exempt. N.J.S.A. 56:13-13(a), (d); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.6(a), (b) (opens in a new tab)
The sign must state when and for what parking is allowed, that unauthorized cars will be towed at the owner's expense, the tow company's name, address and phone, the towing and storage charges, the address and redemption hours of the storage lot, and the Division of Consumer Affairs number, 1-800-242-5846. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.6(a)(2) (opens in a new tab)
In a residential community with clearly marked assigned spaces, the full sign is not required if the property owner documented approval for that tow and a sign at each entrance says unauthorized cars in assigned spaces will be towed and gives a number to find the car. This does not cover a commercial lot inside the community. N.J.S.A. 56:13-13(e); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.6(c), (d) (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If your car has been or is about to be hooked or lifted but has not left the property, the company may not refuse to release it. It can charge only a decoupling fee and no other fee. The statute makes an unreasonable decoupling fee unlawful, but no dollar cap was found. N.J.S.A. 56:13-16(e); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.8(b), (c) (opens in a new tab)

Where your car can be taken

The company must take your car to a secure storage facility that is nearest to the site of the tow and has room for it. The statute also says it must be within a reasonable distance. No mileage limit is set. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.6(a)(4), 31.4(j); N.J.S.A. 56:13-13(a)(4) (opens in a new tab)
A storage facility must be secure. It must be fully indoors or have a fence or wall at least 6 feet high, lit from dusk to dawn. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.2, 31.7(a) (opens in a new tab)
The tow company must have a written contract with the property owner, and the owner must have authorized the removal of your particular car. A company may not patrol a lot on its own to find cars to tow without being asked by the owner. N.J.S.A. 56:13-13(a), 56:13-16(h); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.6(a)(1), (3) (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

The storage lot must have a business office open to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at least five days a week, and the company must provide or arrange for after-hours release. N.J.S.A. 56:13-15; N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.7(a), (b) (opens in a new tab)
If the company does not release your car when you ask during normal business hours, it may not charge an after-hours release fee. New Jersey sets no number of hours for release. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.7(c) (opens in a new tab)
Besides cash, the company must accept an insurance company check, a debit card, a credit card or a charge card if it ordinarily accepts that card at its place of business. It may ask for additional identification. N.J.S.A. 56:13-4, 56:13-16(g) (opens in a new tab)
Rules cover releasing the car to its owner or another person authorized to take it, and the basic tow includes issuing the release papers. The rules do not list the documents required. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.2 (definition of basic tow) (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

For a private-property tow the company may charge only a flat basic-tow fee and the add-on fees listed in the Division's rules. Any other fee is not allowed. The bill must show the time your car reached the lot and list every service charged, and a flat basic tow bill must list the services performed. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.4(a), (e), (k)-(m) (opens in a new tab)
The basic tow flat fee already includes arriving, 15 minutes of waiting, hookup, the ride to storage, unhooking, placing the car in storage, release papers, an itemized bill, three trips to your car in storage, and retrieval during open hours. Extra waiting, winching, clean-up and similar charges are listed only for accident vehicles. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.2, 31.4(a) (opens in a new tab)
Fees must be reasonable. A fee is presumed unreasonable if it is more than 25 percent above what the company charges for the same service with the owner's consent, or more than 50 percent above what other companies in that municipality charge for non-consensual tows. N.J.S.A. 56:13-14(b); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.5(a) (opens in a new tab)
A fee also cannot exceed the maximum in a municipal towing fee ordinance, and is presumed unreasonable if it does. Check your town's ordinance, since each municipality may set its own schedule. N.J.S.A. 56:13-14(b); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.5(b) (opens in a new tab)
Storage is charged by full 24-hour periods. If you collect the car within 24 hours of arrival, you may be charged only one day. After more than 24 hours, a second day may be charged. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.4(d) (opens in a new tab)
The company may add tolls it incurs driving to the site and towing the car to storage. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.4(c) (opens in a new tab)

Disputing a tow or fee

If you dispute a fee, the parties must try in good faith to resolve it. The Director of Consumer Affairs may order the company to refund the amount found unreasonable, plus interest. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.4(h); N.J.S.A. 56:13-21(b) (opens in a new tab)
Violating the towing law or rules is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act, which is how the Division enforces it. N.J.S.A. 56:13-21(a); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.10 (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)

Records and who to call

Towing companies must keep towing invoices, job orders, waiting-time records and storage logs for three years and let the Division review them on request. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.9 (opens in a new tab)
Call the Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846 (toll free in New Jersey) or 973-504-6200 to complain about a tow. That number must be on the tow-away sign. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.6(a)(2)(vi) (opens in a new tab)

Court options

You can sue in the Small Claims Section of the Special Civil Part for up to $5,000. This is the route for getting back a fee you believe was unlawful, if the Division does not resolve it. NJ Courts small claims FAQ (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. File a complaint about a private-property tow or fee online or by phone at 1-800-242-5846 (toll free in NJ) or 973-504-6200. The Division can order a refund of unreasonable fees. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)

New Jersey small claims court (Special Civil Part, Small Claims Section) handles money claims up to $5,000.

Check your tow

Sources

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