Home / States / North Dakota

Your rights after a tow in North Dakota

North Dakota 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.

Pick your city

What state law says about private tows

North Dakota's chapter on abandoned motor vehicles (N.D.C.C. ch. 39-26) now reads "Repealed". We did not find any other state statute that sets sign, notice, distance, release-time or rate rules for towing from private property. That does not mean a tow is always legal; it means the limits are likely in city ordinances, the parking contract, or general law. N.D.C.C. ch. 39-26 (repealed) (opens in a new tab)
We found no state law requiring tow-away signs on private lots. Check your city's code and any lease or parking agreement, and photograph the signs (or lack of them). N.D.C.C. title 39 (no sign rule found) (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

We found no state maximum for private-property towing or storage charges. Whether your city or county caps them was not confirmed, so ask the city for any towing ordinance. N.D.C.C. title 39 (no rate schedule found) (opens in a new tab)

Storage liens and sale of the car

A business that lawfully holds your property to store it or carry it can claim a lien for what you owe. To take ownership of it that way, it must mail a notice of intent to foreclose by registered or certified mail to the address you gave when the item was left. N.D.C.C. 35-20-11 (opens in a new tab)
The statutory notice for that kind of lien gives you 60 days from mailing to pay or to tell the company you challenge the amount. Whether this section applies to a tow yard holding a towed car was not confirmed. N.D.C.C. 35-20-11 (opens in a new tab)
If you send the lienholder written notice that you challenge the amount, the quick ownership route is not available and the company must go to court to enforce the lien. N.D.C.C. 35-20-11 (opens in a new tab)

If you think the tow was wrong

You can sue for money you think was wrongly charged in small claims court, for claims up to $15,000. It is a less formal court and the judge's decision cannot be appealed. N.D.C.C. 27-08.1-01 (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

North Dakota Attorney General Consumer Protection. The state consumer protection office accepts consumer complaints. It does not have a towing-specific program that we confirmed. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)

North Dakota small claims court handles money claims up to $15,000. There is no jury and the decision cannot be appealed.

Check your tow

Sources

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