Car towed in Kent

1Find who towed your car

No record of a tow anywhere? Report the car to police as possibly stolen.

2What they can charge

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).

Estimate your bill

3What to bring

• 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.
• 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.

Paperwork locked inside the car? 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)(1); ORC 4513.601(C); ORC 4513.601(G)(4)

4Getting it back

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Inspect the car before you drive away, and photograph any damage.

Before you sign anything: 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 4513.69(A)-(B)(1); ORC 4513.69(B)(2); ORC 4513.601 (no such rule found); ORC 4513.601 (no such rule found)

5Was the tow legal?

Common problems with private tows in Ohio include missing tow-away signs, refusing to release the car when you came back before it left, a storage lot too far away, and charges above the legal maximum.

Check my towSale deadlinesEvidence checklistDispute letter

Tow-away sign rules in Ohio

These apply to private tow-away zones.

• Where: Visible from every entrance to the property.
• Size: at least 18 by 24 inches.
• Must show: the hours parking is enforced.
• Must show: where towed cars are stored.
• Must show: a warning that unauthorized vehicles will be towed.
• Must show: who may park there.

ORC 4513.601(A)(1) (opens in a new tab)

6How to dispute a tow

1. Collect evidence. Photograph the lot entrances and any signs, keep every receipt, and write down times and names.
2. Ask for an itemized invoice. 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.
3. File a complaint.
   • Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)
     Website (opens in a new tab)
   • Ohio Attorney General Consumer Protection Section
     Website (opens in a new tab)
   • Civil lawsuit under ORC 4513.611
4. Go to court if needed. 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.
5. Consider small claims or a chargeback. 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. 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.

7Deadlines to watch

Ohio deadlines, counted from the law

• Company must look up owner and lienholder within: 3 business days (see the law for when the count starts). ORC 4513.601(F)(1)-(2) (opens in a new tab)
• Company must send certified notice within: 5 business days (see the law for when the count starts). ORC 4513.601(F)(1)-(2) (opens in a new tab)
• Second notice if still unclaimed: 30 days (see the law for when the count starts). ORC 4513.601(F)(1)-(2) (opens in a new tab)
• Company may start title process after notice is received: 60 days after the tow company's notice, if car worth less than $3,500. ORC 4513.601(F)(3)-(4); ORC 4505.101(B) (opens in a new tab)

See the dates for your tow

Common questions

Not verified yet for Kent

We only publish details we could confirm from an official source. These are still missing, so ask the agencies above:

• Addresses and hours of the tow lots that hold police tows
• An official online lookup for towed cars
• City-specific documents needed to pick up a car
• Local rules for someone else picking up your car
• Local auction schedules for unclaimed cars