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Tow Fees in Austin: Posted Maximums and Storage Rates

Answers taken from the rules Towed in Austin uses. Each one gives its official source and the date that source was checked. Which rules apply depends on the facts of each tow; the tool asks about them. Rules current as of September 29, 2026.

This website and the documents it makes are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

What are the posted maximum tow and storage charges for Austin?

How much can a tow company charge for a private-property tow in Austin?

The city's fee schedule sets these maximums for nonconsent private-property tows in Austin: $272 for vehicles under 10,000 lbs.; $350 for vehicles over 10,000 and under 25,000 lbs.; $800 for vehicles over 25,000 lbs.; and $50 for a vehicle "fully prepared for transport" but not removed. The $272 amount took effect December 22, 2025 (it was $275) and continues in the FY2026-27 schedule effective October 1, 2026. The state maximum for a heavy-duty private-property tow is "$489 per unit or a maximum of $978" (16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(b)(3)), and a city may regulate these fees only if they "do not exceed the maximum amount authorized by commission rule" (Occ. Code § 2308.202). Austin's $800 is above the state's $489 per unit, so which amount governs a one-unit heavy-duty tow is not settled.

Source: City of Austin FY2026-27 Fees, Fines and Other Charges, Exhibit A (Police - General Fund, Parking/Towing Rates); Ord. No. 20251211-068; 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(b); Occ. Code § 2308.202 · Checked on September 29, 2026

The TDLR rule sets the maximum that may be charged for a private property tow: $272 for light-duty tows (gross weight rating 10,000 lb or less), $380 for medium-duty (more than 10,000 but less than 25,000 lb), and $489 per unit (maximum $978) for heavy-duty (more than 25,000 lb).

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(a)-(b) · Checked on September 29, 2026

The law bars a license or permit holder from charging more for a nonconsent tow than the fee set by TDLR rule (§ 2308.0575) or authorized by a political subdivision, and from charging for any service related to a nonconsent tow that is not on the TDLR or local fee list. TDLR may require a refund of the excess or of the whole charge for an unlisted service.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.2065 · Checked on September 28, 2026

What can a storage lot charge for storage in Austin?

The TDLR rule, applying the 2023 biennial CPI adjustment, sets the maximum daily storage fee at $22.85 for a vehicle 25 feet or less and $39.99 for a longer vehicle, and the maximum impoundment fee at $22.85. If an impoundment fee is charged, the bill must specify the exact services performed and the dates. The fees apply to government-owned storage lots too and control over conflicting city ordinances. No other storage-related fees are allowed besides those in the rule and authorized nonconsent towing fees.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.722(a), (b), (d), (e), (g); Occ. Code § 2303.1552 · Checked on September 29, 2026

The law defines a storage day as beginning at midnight and ending at the next midnight, and allows a full daily fee for any part of a day, except that no more than one day's storage may be charged if the vehicle remains at the facility for less than 12 hours.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.155(d) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The law lets a storage facility charge daily storage for no more than five days before the owner notice is mailed or published (Texas-registered vehicles) or before the request for owner information is sent to the other state (out-of-state vehicles), and then for each day after notice until the vehicle is removed and all accrued charges are paid.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.155(e) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The TDLR rules cap the notification fee at $50 (plus publication cost above 50% of the fee when publication is required), provide that no notice is required if the vehicle is removed within 24 hours after the facility receives it, bar a notification fee if the vehicle is removed before notice is sent or within 24 hours, and bar any notification fee unless actual notice has been given as required.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 85.722(c), 85.703(a), (j) · Checked on September 29, 2026

What happens if I get back to my car before it is towed away in Austin?

The law says a towing company removing a car from a parking facility may not tow it if the owner objects, pays the fee allowed by § 13-6-76, and removes the vehicle within 30 minutes. The company may tow sooner only if the vehicle is in or blocks a traffic aisle, entry or exit; keeps another vehicle from leaving a space; or is in or blocks a properly marked fire lane.

Source: Austin City Code § 13-6-75 · Checked on September 29, 2026

The law says a company towing from a parking facility may charge only one fee per vehicle. If the vehicle was fully prepared for transport (attached to the truck, lifted, with tow lights and safety chains attached and, if needed, on a dolly in a raised position) but not removed from the property, it may charge only the "fully prepared for transport" fee, which the city caps at $50. The standard nonconsent fee applies only when the vehicle is actually removed from the property.

Source: Austin City Code § 13-6-76; City of Austin FY2026-27 Fee Schedule, Police - Non-Consent Private Property Towing Fees · Checked on September 29, 2026

The TDLR rule caps the "drop charge" (the most that may be charged to release a hooked-up vehicle before it leaves the property) at $135 for light-duty, $190 for medium-duty and $244 for heavy-duty vehicles. If the owner, authorized operator or agent is present before removal, the towing operator must advise that he or she may offer payment of the drop charge, and the tow company must accept cash, credit cards and debit cards for the drop charge.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(a)(4), (c)-(e) · Checked on September 29, 2026

What rules apply when a car is booted in Austin?

The city's fee schedule sets the vehicle immobilization (boot) fee at $100. A licensed booting company may not charge more than the maximum fee allowed for immobilization (City Code § 13-7-6(B)(1)).

Source: City of Austin FY2026-27 Fees, Fines and Other Charges, Exhibit A (Police - General Fund); Austin City Code § 13-7-6(B)(1) · Checked on September 29, 2026

The law requires the booting company to remove a boot no later than one hour after the owner or operator contacts the company to request removal, and requires it to waive the boot removal fee (not associated parking fees) if it fails to do so.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.258(a)-(b) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The law requires a boot operator to affix a conspicuous notice to the front windshield or driver's side window stating: that the vehicle was booted and damage may occur if moved; the date and time installed; the booting company's name, address and phone; a 24-hour phone number to arrange removal; the boot removal fee and any associated parking fees; notice of the right to a hearing under Subchapter J; and, as the local authority prescribes, how to file a complaint with it. The notice must include a notice of hearing rights.

Source: Occ. Code §§ 2308.257(b), 2308.454(d) · Checked on September 28, 2026

What must the bill and the posted rate sheet show?

The law requires all storage fees to be posted at the licensed facility in view of the person claiming the vehicle, and requires a facility accepting nonconsent-towed vehicles to post a sign that states "Nonconsent tow fees schedules available on request" and to provide a copy of the nonconsent towing fee schedule on request.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.1551 · Checked on September 28, 2026

The TDLR rule requires a towing company to give its nonconsent towing fee schedule to every storage facility it uses; the schedule at the storage facility must match the one on file with TDLR and be available to any requestor during normal business hours. A towing company may not collect nonconsent towing fees unless the storage facility posts a sign in one-inch letters stating "Nonconsent tow fees schedules available on request."

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.706 · Checked on September 29, 2026

The TDLR rules bar a towing company or operator from charging a nonconsent tow fee greater than, or not listed in, the fee schedule most recently submitted to TDLR, and from charging more than, or any fee not authorized by, the statewide or local nonconsent fees under Occ. Code § 2308.2065. A license or permit holder that does so may be ordered to reimburse the vehicle owner or operator.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 86.705(h)-(k), 86.902 · Checked on September 29, 2026

The TDLR rules require a tow ticket for each nonconsent tow; a copy goes to the owner if present at the tow and to the storage facility. The tow ticket may authorize only charges directly related to the tow, must itemize each charge using the identical fee structure as the company's nonconsent fee schedule on file with the storage facility, and must show the towing company's licensed name, publicly listed phone number, TDLR license or registration number, and the towing operator's TDLR license number. Operators must carry and openly display their original TDLR license while towing.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 86.709, 86.715(j)-(n), (p) · Checked on September 29, 2026

Put a charge next to a posted maximum

Pick a posted maximum and type the amount on your bill. The box shows the two numbers side by side; which amount applies to a tow depends on its facts.

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