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Your rights after a tow in Virginia

Virginia 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 Virginia

$210.00

Ceiling to tow a standard car from private property under Virginia (state default; localities may set different limits) rates; your city may set its own

Not published

Virginia (state default; localities may set different limits) ceiling per day of storage, starting after 24 hours

These rates may have changed since this schedule was published. Schedules are often updated once a year, so check the official source before relying on them.

Other Virginia (state default; localities may set different limits) maximums
Charge	Maximum
After-hours or gate fee	$30.00
Drop fee (car removed before towing)	$25.00
Immobilization device removal	$25.00

Unless your city or county sets different limits, hookup and initial towing is capped at $210, with up to two after-hours/weekend/holiday add-ons of $30 each. No storage can be charged for the first 24 hours; the state sets no dollar cap on storage after that. See the official Virginia (state default; localities may set different limits) rates (opens in a new tab).

Pick your city

Tow-away signs

A private lot may tow a car without the owner's permission only if signs are posted at all entrances to the lot. This sign rule does not apply in a city or county that has passed its own towing ordinance, so check local rules. Va. Code 46.2-1231(A) (opens in a new tab)
Signs must clearly say that vehicles parked without permission will be removed, towed or immobilized. They must also show either the local police non-emergency number or the phone number of the tow company, so you can find your car. Va. Code 46.2-1231(A) (opens in a new tab)
Counties, cities and towns may pass their own towing ordinances, which can add to or replace the state sign rule. Before adopting one, the locality must appoint an advisory board of police, tow operators and the public. Va. Code 46.2-1232(A); 46.2-1233.2 (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If you or someone for you moves the car off the lot before it is actually towed, it may not be towed. You can be charged a reasonable fee of up to $25, or whatever lower or different limit your local government sets. Va. Code 46.2-1231(D) (opens in a new tab)
A lot may use a boot-type device instead of towing, as long as it does not damage the car. The charge to remove the device cannot exceed $25 unless the local government sets a different limit. Va. Code 46.2-1231(E) (opens in a new tab)

Finding your car

The tow operator must promptly tell the State Police or local police where the car was towed from. If the operator fails to report, the storage charge is limited to one day and the operator commits a traffic infraction with a fine up to $100. Va. Code 46.2-1231(B) (opens in a new tab)
Virginia law sets no general statewide limit on how far a private-property tow can take your car. In Northern Virginia (Planning District 8) a locality may require a permit for tow companies that tow to places within 10 miles of the pickup point. Va. Code 46.2-1232(D) (opens in a new tab)
If a car is towed from one city or county and stored in another, the ordinance of the place where it was towed from applies. Va. Code 46.2-1232(A) (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

Tow companies must post a full list of their towing, recovery and storage fees at their main office and any place where cars are picked up (or hand you the list when you reclaim). Charges above the posted fees cannot be collected. Va. Code 46.2-1231(C) (opens in a new tab)
Unless your city or county has set different limits, a passenger car's hookup and first tow cannot cost more than $210. After-hours, weekend or holiday tows can add up to $30, and no more than two such add-ons can be charged. Va. Code 46.2-1233.1(A) (opens in a new tab)
No storage may be charged for the first 24 hours, and no other fees (besides the tow fees allowed by law or local ordinance) may be added during those 24 hours. Va. Code 46.2-1233.1(A) (opens in a new tab)
A city or county may bar storage charges for any time you could not get your car because the tow lot was closed. Local governments may also set their own fee limits. Va. Code 46.2-1233.1(B) (opens in a new tab)
In Northern Virginia and the Richmond area (Planning Districts 8 and 16), localities must set by ordinance a hookup fee between $135 and the state maximum, so the right figure depends on where you were towed. Va. Code 46.2-1233 (opens in a new tab)
In Northern Virginia (Planning District 8), the operator must give a written receipt with a phone number or website for complaints when you reclaim the car. Va. Code 46.2-1231(C) (opens in a new tab)

Apartments and special cases

At an apartment complex, the tow operator cannot tow a resident's car for an expired registration or inspection sticker until 48 hours after posting a dated notice on the car. If they skip this, they must repay the towing and storage charges and can face a civil penalty up to $100. Va. Code 46.2-1231(G) (opens in a new tab)
Virginia's private-property towing statutes do not say whether you may retrieve personal belongings from a towed car. Ask the tow lot and check your local ordinance. Va. Code 46.2-1231 (no provision found) (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

Bring a copy of the posted fee list or your itemized receipt. Any charge above the posted fees is not collectable from you. Va. Code 46.2-1231(C) (opens in a new tab)
Virginia's state statutes do not say whether you may inspect the car before paying or whether the lot can make you sign a damage waiver. Take photos and note any damage before leaving, and keep your receipt. Va. Code 46.2-1231, 46.2-1233.1 (no provision found) (opens in a new tab)
The statute says the car is held until called for by the owner or the owner's agent. Bring ID and proof of ownership or authorization. Va. Code 46.2-1231(A) (opens in a new tab)

Contesting a tow and storage sales

Virginia's tow statutes give no special hearing to get the car released early. The usual route is to pay, then sue the property owner or tow company in general district court (or small claims for $5,000 or less) to get money back. Va. Code 16.1-122.2; 46.2-1231 (opens in a new tab)
For a stored car, a lienholder generally may sell it at public auction only if the debt is unpaid 10 days after it is due, after advertising the sale and sending written notice to the owner at least 10 days before. This general lien statute is not specific to towing, so a lot's right to rely on it for towed cars is unverified. Va. Code 43-34 (opens in a new tab)
Separately, if a car sits on private land for more than 48 hours without the owner's consent, it may be treated as abandoned. The holder must then ask DMV to search for the owner and lienholders, who are told by certified mail to reclaim it within 15 days. Va. Code 46.2-1200; 46.2-1202 (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

Virginia Attorney General, Consumer Protection Section. Takes complaints about towing and recovery operators and tow truck drivers. Complaints about violations of a local ordinance go to the local office instead. Hotline 1-800-552-9963 (in Virginia) or 804-786-2042. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Local government (county, city or town) towing office. Counties, cities and towns may regulate private-property towing and set fee limits; ordinance violations are handled by the local authority, often the police or consumer affairs office.

Virginia small claims court (part of general district court) hears claims up to $5,000, excluding interest. Larger claims go to general district court proper (up to $50,000 concurrently with circuit court).

Check your tow

Sources

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