Towing rules for property managers in Kentucky

Printable checklist

• ☐ Placement: Clearly visible to the public; no number, size or exact location stated
• ☐ A warning that unauthorized vehicles will be towed
• ☐ Who may park there
• ☐ Tow company reports the tow to police within 2 hours
• ☐ Release the car if the owner returns before it leaves the property
• ☐ Store the car within 25 miles

What the sign law says

Applies to: Private tow-away zones and privately owned parking lots

A private lot owner who sets up a tow-away zone must post a clearly visible sign. It must say the area is a tow-away zone, give contact information, and describe who may or may not park there. For a privately owned parking lot, the operator must post signs saying the lot is privately owned and unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense. Kentucky law does not say how many signs are needed, how big they must be, or where exactly they go.

KRS 281.924(3) (opens in a new tab)

Contact information is required but not identified as the towing company's phone. Additional quoted text comes from: KRS 189.725(2) <https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=51084>.

Tow-away signs

• A private lot owner who sets up a tow-away zone must post a clearly visible sign. It must say the area is a tow-away zone, give contact information, and describe who may or may not park there. KRS 281.924(3) (opens in a new tab)
• For a privately owned parking lot, the operator must post signs saying the lot is privately owned and unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense. KRS 189.725(2) (opens in a new tab)
• Kentucky law does not say how many signs are needed, how big they must be, or where exactly they go. It only requires that the sign be clearly visible to the public. KRS 281.924(3) (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 that you can pay no more than half of its normal release fee to get the car back. It must then release the car and give you a receipt showing the full fee and what you paid. KRS 281.924(5) (opens in a new tab)

Where your car can be taken

• The car must go to a storage facility within 25 miles of the tow-away zone. If none is that close, it must go to the nearest one. KRS 281.924(4) (opens in a new tab)
• The tow company must notify the local law enforcement agency within 2 hours after finishing a tow from private property. Calling the police non-emergency line is the fastest way to find your car. KRS 281.924(6) (opens in a new tab)
• Before taking the car off the truck, the company must photograph or video it to document damage and other problems. Ask to see this documentation if your car was damaged. KRS 281.924(2) (opens in a new tab)

Sources

• https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=51076 (opens in a new tab)
• https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=51084 (opens in a new tab)