HPD posted a new 2026 agreement for police storage lots
The Houston Police Department posted its 2026 Police Private Storage Lot Agreement, the contract a private storage lot signs to hold cars from police tows. Among its terms: a car towed without the owner's consent must be released within one hour, 24 hours a day; the lot may not demand a signed credit card authorization as a condition of release; and if the lot does not put an abandoned car on an auction list within 30 days after reporting it, storage fees are limited to 45 days.
Form dated September 29, 2026, posted on HPD's Auto Dealers Detail page.
Harris County voted to update its tow maximums, unchanged since 2011
Harris County sets the most a tow company may charge for nonconsent tows from unincorporated areas (outside city limits). The county budget office reported that those rates had not changed since 2011, when a police-ordered tow was capped at $145.50, while Houston's rate is now $232. On July 9, 2026, Commissioners Court passed a motion to update the county maximums and set a method for future reviews. We have not found the new amounts in an official order yet.
Motion passed July 9, 2026. New amounts not yet found.
HPD updated its Motorist Bill of Rights for the 2026 tow rate
HPD's one-page Motorist Bill of Rights now lists the 2026 city tow rate of $232 and $4.64 a mile after 20 miles. It also says tow operators must take cash or two of the four major credit cards, that you may ask to have the car towed to a place you choose, and that complaints go to HPD's Auto Dealers Detail. An older version (rev. January 31, 2025) with the 2025 amounts is still linked from HPD's towed-vehicles FAQ.
We read public records, laws and official reports and explain them in plain words. We do not say that any company broke the law; we report what the records show, with a link so you can check. If you see a mistake, email corrections@towedhelp.org.