Questions about towing in Houston

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

Houston's 2026 rate notice says light-, medium- and heavy-duty private-property tows may not exceed "the lesser of" the TDLR maximum (16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455: $272 light, $380 medium, $489 per unit up to $978 heavy) or the City's non-consent tow rate for tows other than private-property tows ($232 for a tow that does not need a heavy-duty wrecker, from January 1, 2026). So for a car, SUV, van or pickup towed from a parking lot inside Houston, the most a company may charge for the tow is $232, not $272.

Source: City of Houston, Tow Rates 2026; Houston Code § 8-123(d)(2); Occ. Code § 2308.202 · Checked on October 5, 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 October 5, 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 Houston?

A nonconsent storage lot in Houston may charge a daily storage fee no higher than the state daily maximum (Occ. Code § 2303.155(b)(3)), plus notification and other fees only up to those the Vehicle Storage Facility Act allows. Each fee must be separately itemized on the lot's records and on the receipt you get, and the receipt must show the TDLR license number of the person who released the vehicle and a police phone number for wrecker and storage information. No fees other than those allowed by §§ 8-123 and 8-183 may be charged for these services without your consent, and sales tax may be added only where state law imposes it.

Source: Houston Code § 8-183(b)-(d) · Checked on October 5, 2026

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 October 5, 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

How long do I have to ask for a tow hearing in Houston?

The law requires a person entitled to a hearing to deliver a written request to the court before the 14th day after the vehicle was removed and placed in storage or booted, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. If the rights notice was not given, the deadline does not apply and the request may be made at any time. The 14-day period does not begin until the towing company or storage facility provides the information needed to fill in the request. Missing the deadline waives the hearing.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.456(a), (c), (c-1), (d) · Checked on September 28, 2026

Harris County Justice Courts Local Rule 2.3.3 says written requests for tow or boot hearings "shall be filed in a Justice of the Peace Court in Precinct 2, 3, 6, or 8"; a request filed in another Harris County justice court is sent on to one of those. The filing fee is $54 ($21 state consolidated civil fee and $33 local consolidated civil fee), paid to the Justice of the Peace when filing. The county's Request for Tow or Boot Hearing form (rev. 1-1-2023) asks for a copy of the tow or storage receipt. The request must be delivered before the 14th day after the tow, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.

Source: Harris County Justice Courts Local Rule 2.3.3 (amended Nov. 9, 2021); Occ. Code §§ 2308.453, 2308.456 · Checked on October 5, 2026

What are the rules for tow-away signs on private property in Houston?

For a sign-based tow or boot, the law requires each sign to be weather-resistant and at least 18 inches wide and 24 inches tall; show the international towing symbol; describe who may park and prohibit all others; bear the words "Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed [or Booted, or Towed or Booted] at Owner's or Operator's Expense"; state the days and hours of towing and booting enforcement; and give a telephone number (with area code) answered 24 hours a day to locate a towed vehicle or arrange boot removal.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.301(b) · Checked on September 28, 2026

For a sign-based tow or boot, the law requires a sign prohibiting unauthorized vehicles that faces and is conspicuously visible to drivers entering the facility; is on the right or left side of each driveway or curb-cut entrance (including alley entries), or, where entrances are not defined and wider than 35 feet, placed so no entrance is more than 25 feet from a sign; is permanently mounted on a pole, post, permanent wall or permanent barrier on the facility; and has its bottom edge between five and eight feet above ground.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.301(a) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The law requires each tow-away sign to have a bright red international towing symbol (a solid tow-truck silhouette on white, at least four inches high) at the top or on a separate sign just above; immediately below, white letters at least two inches high on a bright red background reading "Towing and Booting Enforced", "Towing Enforced" or "Booting Enforced"; the remaining required information in bright red letters at least one inch high on white; and the telephone number at the bottom in white letters at least one inch high on bright red.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.302 · Checked on September 28, 2026

Where can I file a complaint about a tow in Houston?

HPD's Motorist Bill of Rights says complaints about a towing company or a vehicle storage facility go to the Houston Police Department Auto Dealers Detail: hpd.AutoDealers@HoustonPolice.org or 832-394-4800. Complaints about a booting company go in writing to the City's "police official" (City Code § 26-666). TDLR takes complaints about tow companies, booting companies and storage lots anywhere in Texas.

Source: HPD Motorist Bill of Rights (rev. Dec. 12, 2025); Houston Code § 26-666; Occ. Code §§ 2308.501-.503 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law lets the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation impose administrative penalties on anyone who violates ch. 2308 or ch. 2303 or a TDLR rule or order, whether or not they hold a license, after an opportunity for a hearing; lets TDLR deny, revoke, suspend or refuse to renew licenses or reprimand; and requires TDLR to keep a system to act promptly on complaints and to keep complainants informed. Where the program law sets no maximum, penalties may be up to $5,000 per day per violation. TDLR may also order a refund of nonconsent tow charges above the TDLR or city amounts or for unlisted services.

Source: Occ. Code §§ 2308.501, 2308.503, 2303.304, 51.252, 51.302(a), 51.353(a), 2308.2065(c) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The TDLR rule requires each vehicle storage facility to notify vehicle owners of TDLR's website, email address, mailing address and telephone number for complaints, on a sign prominently displayed at the place of payment (letters at least one inch high on a contrasting background) and on the front page of any bill for service.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.707 · Checked on October 5, 2026

What forms of payment must the tow company or storage lot accept in Houston?

The law requires a private or governmental vehicle storage facility to accept cash, debit card and credit card for any delivery or storage charge, to conspicuously post a sign stating that it must accept those forms of payment, and bars it from refusing to release a vehicle because it cannot accept a debit or credit card, unless a power outage or machine malfunction, through no fault of the operator, prevents it.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.159 · Checked on September 28, 2026

The TDLR rule requires every storage facility, including government-run lots, to accept cash, debit cards and credit cards. A facility that violates this may not charge storage beyond the date payment by credit card is tendered, in addition to administrative penalties.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.711 · Checked on October 5, 2026

Can I get my belongings out of the towed car in Houston?

The law requires a private or governmental vehicle storage facility to let a person claiming to own a stored vehicle access the glove compartment, console or other interior storage area if documents needed to establish the person's identity or ownership are there.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.158 · Checked on September 28, 2026

The TDLR rule entitles a person who shows ownership or right to possession of a stored vehicle, or an authorized representative, to inspect a copy of the tow ticket without paying anything first; to access and remove personal belongings from the vehicle (unless a law enforcement officer indicates otherwise), signing a receipt; to access the vehicle during business hours for insurance or repair estimates; and, on request, to see the towing company's current nonconsent towing fee schedule.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.708(a)-(b) · Checked on October 5, 2026

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

If you are present while an auto wrecker in Houston is trying to tow your vehicle and you do not want it towed: no charge may be made and you may take the vehicle if it has not been hooked up; if it has been "lawfully hooked up" but not towed from the scene, it must be released to you for one-half the regular auto wrecker fee (half of $232 = $116 in 2026). This does not apply if you cannot move the vehicle from the scene right away.

Source: Houston Code § 8-123(a), (f); § 8-101 ('lawfully hooked up') · Checked on October 5, 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 October 5, 2026

How do I find out where my car was towed in Houston?

HPD's Motorist Bill of Rights says: "To find the storage lot location of your vehicle and pending storage fees, please visit www.findmytowedcar.com." You need the license plate or VIN. Texas law also requires the storage lot to report a private-property tow to the local police within two hours after it receives the vehicle (Occ. Code § 2308.2565), so the police may have a record of the tow.

Source: HPD Motorist Bill of Rights (rev. Dec. 12, 2025); Occ. Code § 2308.2565 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law requires that, where a parking facility posts tow-away signs, the owner of a vehicle towed from the facility must be able to locate the vehicle by calling the telephone number on the sign.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.303 · Checked on September 28, 2026

What rules apply when a car is booted in Houston?

In Houston a company must hold a city vehicle immobilization service permit to boot (§ 26-644(a)). It may charge at most $25.00 plus sales tax to remove a boot put on for overstaying the receipt time, a rate change after you parked, or not displaying a receipt (when you then show the receipt), and at most $100.00 plus sales tax for failing to pay any parking fee; several boots on one vehicle cost no more than one. Beyond the boot fee you owe only the unpaid parking fee for the preceding 24 hours and past-due contract parking. The boot must come off within one hour after you call and pay, or the boot fee is waived.

Source: Houston Code §§ 26-642, 26-644(a), 26-662(3)-(6) · Checked on October 5, 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