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Your rights after a tow in North Carolina

North Carolina 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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Where the state tow rules apply

North Carolina has no statewide price cap for towing from private lots, and the NC Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that a town could not cap tow or storage fees without clear authority from the legislature. Cities can still regulate things like signs and payment methods. King v. Town of Chapel Hill, 367 N.C. 400 (2014) (opens in a new tab)
The state private-lot towing section (signs, 15-mile limit, no waivers) covers only these counties and the cities in them: Craven, Cumberland, Dare, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Orange, Richmond, Robeson, Wake and Wilson, plus Durham, Jacksonville, Charlotte and Fayetteville. Elsewhere, only local ordinances apply. N.C.G.S. 20-219.2(c) (opens in a new tab)
A 2025-26 bill, House Bill 199, started as a plan for a statewide towing commission with maximum fees, but the House-passed version replaced that with an unrelated city deannexation process. It was sent to a Senate committee on 8/6/2026 and has not become law, so no state rate cap exists. N.C. House Bill 199 (2025-26 Session) (opens in a new tab)

Tow-away signs

In covered areas, a lot must be marked as private by signs at least 24 by 24 inches, prominently displayed at all entrances. If individual spaces are owned or leased, they must be marked with the owner's or lessee's name. N.C.G.S. 20-219.2(a) (opens in a new tab)
The sign must show the current name and phone number of the towing and storage company. The rule does not take effect until 72 hours after the required signs are posted. N.C.G.S. 20-219.2(a) (opens in a new tab)
A car can be towed from a private space only on the written request of the space owner or lessee, and the owner of the car becomes liable for the tow and storage charges. N.C.G.S. 20-219.2(a) (opens in a new tab)

Where your car can be taken

In covered areas, if a storage place exists within 15 miles, your car may not be taken more than 15 miles from where it was towed. Otherwise the limit is 25 miles. N.C.G.S. 20-219.2(a1) (opens in a new tab)
A tow company must call the local police 10-digit number before moving a car towed at someone else's request, giving a description, the pickup spot, the storage place and who to contact. If the car is blocking traffic, the call may come within 30 minutes after moving it. This rule does not apply to lots with signs that meet the 20-219.2 rules. N.C.G.S. 20-219.20(a)-(b) (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

In covered areas, a tow or storage company may not make you sign a waiver of your rights to get your car back. The only form allowed is one acknowledging that you received the vehicle. N.C.G.S. 20-219.2(a3) (opens in a new tab)
A company that removes a car under this section is not liable for the removal itself, but it can be held liable if it intentionally or negligently damages your car or injures someone. Photograph any damage before you leave. N.C.G.S. 20-219.2(a) (opens in a new tab)
In covered areas, when you pick up your car you must be told in writing that you can pay the lien amount, ask for immediate possession, and contest the towing charges in court. N.C.G.S. 20-219.2(a2) (opens in a new tab)
North Carolina law sets no maximum towing or storage rate for private-property tows, so the amount depends on the company and any local rules. Ask for an itemized bill and compare it to the company's posted rates. No statewide rate statute found; King v. Town of Chapel Hill (opens in a new tab)

Contesting the tow

You can sue to contest the lien at any time. If you ask for immediate possession and pay the claimed amount to the court clerk, the clerk orders the company to release your car, and the judge later decides who gets the money. N.C.G.S. 44A-4(a) (opens in a new tab)
In a district or superior court case over the lien, the winning side may be awarded a reasonable attorney's fee. A lienor that fails to substantially follow the sale rules owes $100 plus attorney's fees, in addition to actual damages. N.C.G.S. 44A-4(a), (g) (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)

Liens and sale of an unclaimed car

A business that tows or stores a motor vehicle has a lien on it for reasonable towing and storage charges, which has priority over most other claims on the car. N.C.G.S. 44A-2(d) (opens in a new tab)
If towing and storage charges stay unpaid for 10 days after they come due, the company may start the process to sell the car. A company that does not sue within 180 days of storage starting gives up storage charges that accrue after that. N.C.G.S. 44A-4(a) (opens in a new tab)
Before a sale, a notice by certified mail goes to the owner and lienholders, either from the DMV or the company. It must state the amount claimed and your right to a court hearing, which you must request within 10 days of receiving it, or you lose the right to a hearing before the sale. N.C.G.S. 44A-4(b)(1) (opens in a new tab)
A private sale needs at least 30 days' mailed notice. A public sale needs at least 20 days' notice and must be held on a day other than Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can ask for a public sale instead of a private one. N.C.G.S. 44A-4(c)-(e) (opens in a new tab)

Other protections

On a nonconsensual tow, the tower must promptly return any commercial cargo to its owner on request. N.C.G.S. 20-219.15 (opens in a new tab)
The separate post-towing hearing and bond rules in Article 7A apply to tows directed by law enforcement or certain public agencies, not to ordinary private-lot tows. N.C.G.S. 20-219.10(a) (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

North Carolina Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division. Takes consumer complaints about businesses, including towing companies. Phone 1-877-5-NO-SCAM in NC. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Local police non-emergency line. Towers must report non-consensual tows to the local police, so police can often tell you where your car was taken.

North Carolina small claims court (heard by a magistrate) handles money claims up to $10,000. You can also use it to ask for immediate release of property subject to a towing lien.

Check your tow

Sources

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