Towing rules for property managers in Indiana

Printable checklist

• ☐ Placement: At the spot, conspicuous and clearly visible to the public
• ☐ A warning that unauthorized vehicles will be towed
• ☐ Who may park there
• ☐ Release the car if the owner returns before it leaves the property
• ☐ Store the car within 40 miles

What the sign law says

Applies to: Commercial property (non-commercial tows are not covered)

A commercial property owner who wants to tow must post a tow-away zone sign at the spot that is conspicuous and clearly visible to the public. The sign must say the area is a tow-away zone, give contact information, and describe who is allowed to park there. Indiana sets no minimum letter size, sign count or advance-notice period.

IC 24-14-4-1, 24-14-4-2(a) (opens in a new tab)

Contact information is required but not identified as the towing company's phone. No size stated; cities or counties may set different sign rules. Additional quoted text comes from: IC 24-14-4-2(a) <https://iga.in.gov/ic/2025/Title_24/Article_14.pdf>.

Tow-away signs

• A commercial property owner who wants to tow must post a tow-away zone sign at the spot that is conspicuous and clearly visible to the public. The towing rules in this chapter do not cover tows from property that is not commercial. IC 24-14-4-1, 24-14-4-2(a) (opens in a new tab)
• The sign must say the area is a tow-away zone, give contact information, and describe who is allowed to park there. Indiana sets no minimum letter size, sign count or advance-notice period. IC 24-14-4-2(a) (opens in a new tab)
• A city, county or town may pass its own ordinance with different sign rules, so check local rules. A car that is also abandoned can be towed without a sign once the notice-tag steps are followed. IC 24-14-4-2(b)-(c) (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

• If you arrive while your car is being towed, the company must tell you, orally or in writing, that you can pay a release fee of no more than half its normal release fee. After you pay it must release the car and give you a receipt showing both the full fee and what you paid. IC 24-14-4-4 (opens in a new tab)

Where your car can be taken

• The car must be taken to a storage lot within 40 miles of the tow-away zone. If none exists that close, it goes to the nearest lot the property owner approved. IC 24-14-4-3 (opens in a new tab)
• If the local police or sheriff require it, the tow company must report the tow within 2 hours of finishing. Indiana does not require this report everywhere, so call the non-emergency line to find your car. IC 24-14-4-5 (opens in a new tab)
• The company must secure your car and make reasonable efforts to prevent further damage or theft, including to items inside. IC 24-14-4-6 (opens in a new tab)

Sources

• https://iga.in.gov/ic/2025/Title_24/Article_14.pdf (opens in a new tab)