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Tow and storage rates in Madison
What could be charged for tows and storage in Madison, by year and by who set the amount. Each row names the record it comes from and links the source.
How to read these tables. Amounts are in dollars, as the source states them. Use the row that covers the date of the tow, and read the note for vehicle sizes and other details. Rows marked "Not found yet" are gaps we are still researching.
State maximum for a private-property tow (Wisconsin)
Set by: Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Wis. Admin. Code ch. Trans 319)
| Year or period | Tow | Storage | Storage, second amount | Record, source and status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 to 2026 | $150.00 | $25.00 | $35.00 | Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.03 (CR 15-044, effective February 1, 2016) Wis. Admin. Code ch. Trans 319 (official text) Official source Storage $25 per 24 hours outdoors, $35 indoors; up to $150 more only for special equipment or long trips; no storage for a day the lot is open less than 4 straight hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. |
City of Madison tow (City towing charge forfeiture)
Set by: Madison Common Council (Madison Gen. Ord. § 12.1331(3))
| Year or period | City release fee | Record, source and status |
|---|---|---|
| Before 2024 | Not found yet | Not found yet The ordinance history shows the $115 amount was set by ORD-23-00119 (December 19, 2023) and ORD-24-00020 (March 29, 2024); the earlier amount was not found in an official copy yet. |
| 2026 | $115.00 | Madison Gen. Ord. § 12.1331(3) Madison General Ordinances (Municode) Official source The City's $115 forfeiture for a lawful City tow, in addition to the tow company's charges. The tow company's own rates for City tows are in the City's towing contract, which was not found online. |
UW-Madison campus tow
Set by: UW-Madison Transportation Services
| Year or period | Tow | Storage | Record, source and status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | $130.00 | $50.00 | UW-Madison Transportation Services, 2026-27 rates (effective September 1, 2026) UW-Madison Transportation Services, rates; UW-Madison Transportation Services, citation information Official source Tow fee $130 (car, truck, moped, motorcycle); storage $50 a day for a car or truck ($27 moped or motorcycle) if not picked up the same day. |
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