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What changed: towing updates in Austin
New laws, rules and rates that affect people whose cars were towed, newest first. Each item is our own short summary with a link to the official source.
Austin's 2026-27 fee schedule keeps the city's tow maximums
The City budget fee schedule for October 2026 to September 2027 lists the same towing maximums as the year before. Police-ordered tows: $275 under 10,000 pounds, $400 for 10,000 to 25,000 pounds, $800 above that, plus a $25 administrative fee. Private-property tows: $272, $350 and $800. The booting fee stays at $100.
In effect October 1, 2026 (proposed-fee column of the Council backup; the signed ordinance was not read).
Austin lowered its private-property car tow maximum to $272
City Council amended the 2025-26 fee schedule to cut the maximum for a private-property tow of a vehicle under 10,000 pounds from $275 to $272, the state maximum. The change took effect December 22, 2025.
Ordinance No. 20251211-068. In effect since December 22, 2025.
City memo: Austin had issued 36 boot notices for unpaid tickets since 2022
A memo from Transportation and Public Works and the Municipal Court responded to news reports of about 160,000 unpaid parking tickets over five years. It said the City boots or tows eligible vehicles on public streets for unpaid tickets, had issued 36 boot notices since 2022, and described steps to collect more.
Public Safety Commission sent back a study proposing higher Austin tow fees
Local news reported that the commission voted to recommend Council reject an APD tow fee study and ask for more work. Towing companies had asked to raise the $185 light-duty police tow fee to $340; the APD study proposed $215. The reports also describe a proposed $150 fee for electric vehicles.
Advisory vote on January 9, 2023. Later fee changes: see the rates page.