Questions about towing in Milwaukee

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

For a tow from private property, no removal charge may exceed $150, whether the vehicle is moved by flatbed, hook and chain, wheel-lift, boom or any other method. Source: Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.03(1)(a) (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/trans/319). Checked on October 12, 2026. Up to $150 more may be charged only for necessary special equipment or travel over 20 miles, and only if the vehicle is unusual or 10,001 lb or more, the space was hard to reach, or the round trip exceeded 20 miles ($3.00 a mile beyond 20, with odometer readings on the tow slip). Administrative, gate and lien processing fees, and fees for equipment or procedures ordinarily required, may not be charged under this paragraph. Source: Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.03(1)(d) (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/trans/319). Checked on October 12, 2026. On a non-consensual tow, the tow operator may not charge more than the state maximums in Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.03, and may not charge any storage fee for any 24-hour period in which the business was not open, with the car available for recovery, for at least 4 hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Source: Milwaukee Code § 93-47-4-f, h (https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH93.pdf). Checked on October 13, 2026.

Question 2

What can a storage lot charge for storage in Milwaukee?

Accepted Answer

Storage may not exceed $25 for each 24-hour period at an outdoor storage facility, or $35 at an indoor one. The storage period counts 24-hour periods from the time the towing service gave the police notice until the vehicle is retrieved, rounded up. Source: Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.03(1)(b), (c), (4) (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/trans/319). Checked on October 12, 2026. No storage fee may be charged for any calendar day on which the storage facility is open for retrieval less than 4 consecutive hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The rule's own example: a car towed Friday night and picked up Monday morning, from a lot closed Sunday, is charged for two days, not three. Source: Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.03(4) and Note (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/trans/319). Checked on October 12, 2026. On a non-consensual tow, the tow operator may not charge more than the state maximums in Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.03, and may not charge any storage fee for any 24-hour period in which the business was not open, with the car available for recovery, for at least 4 hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Source: Milwaukee Code § 93-47-4-f, h (https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH93.pdf). Checked on October 13, 2026.

Question 3

How long do I have to ask for a hearing after a police or city tow in Milwaukee?

Accepted Answer

The City's Parking Citations page says a ticket is disputed online (with the citation and plate numbers) within 65 calendar days of issuance, and that within 65 days of the citation date or 10 days from the online decision letter, whichever is later, a new hearing in Milwaukee Municipal Court may be scheduled in person at a Violations Bureau location; missing those dates may result in a default judgment. Its Tow Lot page says the legality of a City tow can be reviewed by calling the Parking Citation Review Manager at 414-286-5085. Source: City of Milwaukee, Parking Citations; Tow Lot (https://city.milwaukee.gov/Parking/ParkingCitations). Checked on October 13, 2026.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A parking area is properly posted only if there is a conspicuous, readily legible notice at each vehicle entrance and a conspicuous notice readily legible to persons at the location of the parked vehicle. Source: Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.04(2)(a), (b) (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/trans/319). Checked on October 12, 2026. "Properly posted" means clearly visible notice that the area is private property and that unauthorized vehicles may be immediately removed. The notice must be clearly visible and either a word message saying unauthorized parking is prohibited and unauthorized vehicles may be removed, or the tow-away-zone symbol with a word message saying unauthorized parking is prohibited. Source: Wis. Stat. § 349.13(3m)(a)2.; Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.04(1)(a) (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/trans/319). Checked on October 12, 2026. If private property is not properly posted, an unauthorized vehicle may be removed without the owner's permission only upon the issuance of a repossession judgment or of a citation for illegal parking. Source: Wis. Stat. § 349.13(3m)(b) (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/349.13). Checked on October 12, 2026.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

No one may run a towing business in Milwaukee, consensual or non-consensual, without a City license. For unlicensed towing the Code sets a forfeiture of $1,500 to $2,500 for a first violation within 24 months, and more for repeat violations. Source: Milwaukee Code §§ 93-5-1, 93-7-2 (https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH93.pdf). Checked on October 13, 2026.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A tow operator may not refuse to release a car once sufficient proof of ownership is shown and the authorized charges are paid, and may not refuse payment by cash or by debit, credit or charge card. Source: Milwaukee Code § 93-47-4-g, i (https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH93.pdf). Checked on October 13, 2026.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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. (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/349.13). Checked on October 12, 2026. A tow operator may not refuse to release, or charge a fee to release, the personal property in a towed car to the owner or authorized operator during regular business hours on proper identification, and may not remove anything from the car, inside or outside. Source: Milwaukee Code § 93-47-4-d, e (https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH93.pdf). Checked on October 13, 2026.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

If the owner or authorized operator is there and offers to move the car or correct the violation before the car is attached to the tow truck in any way, no fee may be charged (except for a repossession or when a police officer directs otherwise). Once equipment is attached but the car is not yet fully hooked up (lifted, with lights and chains, the only step left being to drive away), the car may not be towed if the person pays a drop fee of no more than $50 and moves the car. The operator must tell the person this, give 5 minutes to pay, take cash, credit or debit cards, and give a receipt. Source: Milwaukee Code §§ 93-47-3, 93-3-10 (https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH93.pdf). Checked on October 13, 2026.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

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) (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/trans/319). Checked on October 12, 2026. The City's Tow Lot page: the Towed Vehicle Search finds cars at the City Tow Lot; for a car towed from private property, or not found, call (414) 286-2700. The Tow Lot is at 3811 West Lincoln Avenue, open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., closed Sunday. Bring a valid driver's license (or a state photo ID and a licensed driver) and proof of insurance; someone picking up for the owner needs a notarized letter from the owner. Towing and storage fees are paid in full first: $150 tow (more if the actual cost is higher), $25 a calendar day storage, and $50 if an uninsured car must be driven off by City staff. Source: City of Milwaukee, Tow Lot (https://city.milwaukee.gov/Parking/ParkingTowLot). Checked on October 13, 2026.

Question 10

What do I need to show to get my car back in Milwaukee?

Accepted Answer

The City's Tow Lot page: the Towed Vehicle Search finds cars at the City Tow Lot; for a car towed from private property, or not found, call (414) 286-2700. The Tow Lot is at 3811 West Lincoln Avenue, open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., closed Sunday. Bring a valid driver's license (or a state photo ID and a licensed driver) and proof of insurance; someone picking up for the owner needs a notarized letter from the owner. Towing and storage fees are paid in full first: $150 tow (more if the actual cost is higher), $25 a calendar day storage, and $50 if an uninsured car must be driven off by City staff. Source: City of Milwaukee, Tow Lot (https://city.milwaukee.gov/Parking/ParkingTowLot). Checked on October 13, 2026.