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Your rights after a tow in Ohio

Ohio 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 Ohio

$144.00

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

$22.00

Most they can charge per day of storage

Ohio caps the removal fee at $144 and storage at $22 per day for ordinary cars towed from private property, and each fee must also be no more than the company's reasonable cost. If you return before the car leaves, you can pay up to half the removal fee. A $25 notice processing fee may also be charged (ORC 4513.601(G)). See the official Ohio (statewide, PUCO) rates (opens in a new tab).

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Tow-away signs

A lot can only be a private tow-away zone if the owner posts a sign at least 18 by 24 inches that can be seen from every entrance to the property. Owners may add stickers to an older sign instead of replacing it. ORC 4513.601(A)(1) (opens in a new tab)
The sign must say the property is a tow-away zone, say who may park (and give the property address or business name if that is not obvious), and list the hours of enforcement if it is not enforced at all times. It must also give a phone number and address where the car can be recovered day or night, and warn that an unclaimed car can lose its title. ORC 4513.601(A)(1) (opens in a new tab)
A tow company may only remove a car from a private tow-away zone under a written contract with the property owner. If a city requires tow operators to be licensed, the owner may not use an unlicensed one. ORC 4513.601(B)(2)-(3) (opens in a new tab)
Before towing, the company must make all reasonable efforts to photograph the car parked in violation, with the date and time recorded. It must keep the photos for at least 30 days after you recover the car or 2 years after the tow, whichever is earlier. ORC 4513.601(D)(1) (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If you arrive after the car is hooked up but before it leaves the property, the driver must tell you that you can pay no more than half of the state-set removal fee to get it released. You can pay by major credit card unless the truck's mobile card reader has no service, and you must get a receipt showing the full and the actual amount. ORC 4513.601(C) (opens in a new tab)

Where your car can be taken

The storage lot must be within 25 linear miles of the tow-away zone unless that is not practicable. It must also be well lit and, if public transit exists in that city or township, on or near a regular transit route. ORC 4513.601(A)(2) (opens in a new tab)
The tow company must deliver the car to the place where you can recover it within 2 hours of removal, unless something outside its control such as a natural disaster prevents it. ORC 4513.601(D)(2) (opens in a new tab)
Within 2 hours of the tow, the company must report the car's plate, make, model, color, the tow location and time, and where to recover it to the county sheriff or local police. Police and sheriffs must keep a record and give it to you if you call or visit as the owner, operator or lienholder. ORC 4513.601(E) (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

The owner or lienholder can reclaim the car with proof of ownership, such as the title, the registration or a lease agreement, plus payment of the allowed fees. ORC 4513.601(G)(1) (opens in a new tab)
With proof of ownership you can take personal items out of the car without paying any fee and without taking the car, unless that would be unsafe and you refuse to sign a liability waiver. Items attached to the car do not count. ORC 4513.601(G)(4) (opens in a new tab)
The storage lot must be open while a tow is in progress and from 9 a.m. to noon the day after it accepts a tow. When closed it must post a phone number answered at all hours. ORC 4513.69(A)-(B)(1) (opens in a new tab)
After you call a closed lot about a private-property tow, a representative must be available to release the car within 3 hours, once you show proof of ownership and pay the fees, including any state-set after-hours fee. ORC 4513.69(B)(2) (opens in a new tab)
Ohio's towing law does not say you may inspect the car before accepting it or forbid a release form that waives damage claims. Photograph the car and the paperwork before you leave. ORC 4513.601 (no such rule found) (opens in a new tab)
Only the half-price release fee has a stated card rule: it may be paid by major credit card. The towing statute does not otherwise require a lot to accept cards, so call ahead and ask what payment types it takes. ORC 4513.601(C) (opens in a new tab)
If you dispute the tow, the company must show you the photographs it took and give you a copy on request. When you retrieve the car it must also hand you a written notice that you may be able to sue under ORC 4513.611. ORC 4513.601(G)(2)-(3) (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

For a car under 10,001 lb, the state cap on the removal fee is $144 and storage is capped at $22 per day. Each fee must also not exceed the company's reasonable cost of following the towing law, and no other fees are allowed unless the rule or other law provides for them. OAC 4901:2-24-03(A)-(C) (opens in a new tab)
Ohio cities may set their own fees for police-ordered tows from private homes and farm land, but the state's fee caps apply to tows from private tow-away zones. The statute does not say a city can replace the state caps for those tows. ORC 4921.25(B)(4); ORC 4513.60(B), (D)(1) (opens in a new tab)
If the company sent the required owner notices, it may add a $25 processing fee when you reclaim the car. A lienholder does not pay storage for the time before it received the notice. ORC 4513.601(G)(1) (opens in a new tab)

Unclaimed cars and title loss

Within 3 business days the company must look up the owner and any lienholder, then send notice by certified mail or similar within 5 business days. A second notice goes out if the car is still unclaimed 30 days later. ORC 4513.601(F)(1)-(2) (opens in a new tab)
The company may start the title process 60 days after a notice is received, but only for a car worth less than $3,500. If it gets no signed receipt or undeliverable notice, it may not get title. ORC 4513.601(F)(3)-(4); ORC 4505.101(B) (opens in a new tab)
If police ordered a car stored from private residential or farm land and it stays unclaimed for 30 days, it can be scrapped, sold at public auction after two weekly newspaper ads, or titled to the tow company. ORC 4513.60(D)(3); ORC 4513.62 (opens in a new tab)

Disputes and remedies

You can sue the tow company or storage lot in court for certain violations. Statutory awards start at $150 for a minor violation and $1,000 for a major one, such as refusing the half-price release or failing to report the tow to police within 2 hours. ORC 4513.611(A)-(B) (opens in a new tab)
Ohio's towing law has no rule on damage claims at release, so inspect the car and note any damage in writing and with photos before driving away. ORC 4513.601 (no such rule found) (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)
Removing or storing a car from a private tow-away zone in breach of the statute is a minor misdemeanor, and towing companies may also face forfeitures under PUCO rules. ORC 4513.601(H), (J); OAC 4901:2-24-03(D) (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). PUCO regulates towing companies as for-hire motor carriers and sets the maximum tow and storage fees; violations of its fee rule can lead to state forfeitures. PUCO's website offers a general complaint option; its towing page could not be read, so check puco.ohio.gov for the current towing complaint steps. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Ohio Attorney General Consumer Protection Section. You can file a consumer complaint online with the Attorney General. The page does not mention towing specifically, so it is a general option for overcharging or unfair practices. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Civil lawsuit under ORC 4513.611. You can sue a towing service or storage lot for listed major and minor violations, with set minimum awards. The tow company must give you written notice of this right when you recover the car.

Ohio small claims divisions hear money claims up to $6,000, not counting interest and costs. You can use that route for a tow-fee overcharge or the set awards under ORC 4513.611.

Check your tow

Sources

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