Towed in Madison

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Get Your Towed Car Back in Madison: Steps, ID, Payment

Answers taken from the rules Towed in Madison 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 October 12, 2026.

We are not a law firm, and we are not your lawyer. This website gives general information and self-help forms that you choose and fill in yourself; it does not give legal advice and is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Deadlines can end your rights.

Find your car

Where the car may be, who to call and what to bring, from official pages. Each part shows its source and the date we checked it.

Madison, WI (Dane County)

Phone numbers

Stolen or towed?

Call the Madison Police non-emergency line, 608-255-2345, before reporting the car stolen: a tow company towing from private property must notify the police before the tow.

Impound lots (1)
  • University Towing Service (UW-Madison campus tows)
    2716 County Highway N, Cottage Grove, WI 53527 · Map

    What to bring

    • All UW citations and the tow fee must be paid before release to the registered owner

    Ways to pay

    • Citations and tow fee: cash or credit card at Transportation Services or the lot
    • Storage: cash only at release

    Fees

    Tow fee $130; storage $50/day for a car or truck ($27 moped or motorcycle), none if picked up the same day (UW-Madison rates 2026-27)

    Source: transportation.wisc.edu, checked October 12, 2026

Sources (7)
If it was towed from a private lot
  • Before towing from a private lot, the tow company must notify the police department of the city where the car was parked, so that department's non-emergency line may know where the car went. Wis. Stat. § 349.13(3m)(d)2.; Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.05(1)

    Source: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, checked October 12, 2026

  • When the owner asks, the police must right away give the tow company's name and phone number, when the car was towed and where it was taken. They keep the notice at least 60 days. Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.05(3)

    Source: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, checked October 12, 2026

  • A private lot needs a tow-away notice at each vehicle entrance and one readable from where the car was parked. Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.04(2)

    Source: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, checked October 12, 2026

Information only. Numbers and pages change; the agency's own page has the final word.

Where the car is

The City's towed-vehicle page says a car towed from a tow-away zone or an illegal parking spot is located by calling Schmidt's Towing at 608-257-0505. To claim it, the registered owner (or someone with an original notarized letter from the registered owner authorizing the Madison Police Department to release it) brings a driver's license or photo ID, calls 608-266-4170 first to confirm the amount owed and the payment methods, and arrives before 3:30 p.m.

Source: City of Madison Police Department, Towed Vehicles · Checked on October 12, 2026

The police agency that receives a tow notice must keep it, with the date and time, for at least 60 days. When the owner (or someone the owner authorizes) asks, it must immediately give the towing service's name and phone, the date and time of the tow, and where the vehicle was taken.

Source: Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.05(3); Wis. Stat. § 349.13(3m)(dg) · Checked on October 12, 2026

Belongings in the car

Whoever holds a vehicle towed at the request of police, a parking enforcer, or a property owner or agent must release the personal property in it to the owner during regular office hours on proper identification, with no charge. If the owner takes the personal property out, the vehicle is deemed abandoned unless the owner signs a written agreement to pay the full towing and storage charges, and the owner must be told this before the property is released.

Source: Wis. Stat. § 349.13(5)(b)2.-4. · Checked on October 12, 2026

Notices, deadlines and sale

After a tow requested by the property owner or agent, the charges are paid to the towing service, which may keep the vehicle until they are paid. If they are not paid in full within 30 days of the removal and there is no written installment agreement with the towing service, the vehicle is deemed abandoned and may be disposed of like other abandoned vehicles.

Source: Wis. Stat. § 349.13(3m)(d)3. · Checked on October 12, 2026

A tow company with a towing and storage lien must send written notice to the owner and the senior lienholder within 30 days after taking the vehicle, and must give notice by certified mail at least 20 days before a sale or junking, saying the vehicle will be sold or junked unless the reasonable charges are paid within those 20 days. Personal property in a vehicle towed at an officer's direction is released as § 349.13(5)(b)2. provides, with no additional charge.

Source: Wis. Stat. § 779.415(1g)(b), (1m)(a), (2) · Checked on October 12, 2026

A vehicle deemed abandoned by a municipality or county and not otherwise disposed of must be kept in storage at least 10 days after certified mail notice to the owner and lienholders, so it can be reclaimed by paying the accrued charges. The notice must say that not reclaiming the vehicle waives all right, title and interest in it.

Source: Wis. Stat. § 342.40(3)(c) · Checked on October 12, 2026

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