Towed in Milwaukee

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

Answers taken from the rules Towed in Milwaukee 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 13, 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.

Milwaukee, WI (City of Milwaukee)

Search the official towed-car lookup findmytowedcar.org · checked October 13, 2026

Phone numbers

City of Milwaukee Tow Lot (City tows; the City's page also gives this number to locate a car towed from private property) 414-286-2700 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Parking Citation Review Manager (review of a City tow) 414-286-5085
City Violations Bureau (tickets, disputes, payment plans) 414-344-0840 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Stolen or towed?

Before reporting the car stolen, search the City's Towed Vehicle Search by plate or VIN and call the Tow Lot at (414) 286-2700: the City's page says that line helps locate cars towed from private property, and a Milwaukee tow company must get a City tow reference number before a private tow.

Impound lots (1)

City of Milwaukee Tow Lot
3811 West Lincoln Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53215 · Map
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; Sun closed
What to bring
- A valid driver's license (or a valid state-issued photo ID and someone with a valid driver's license)
- Proof of valid liability insurance (insurance card with carrier, insured and vehicle make, model, year and VIN)
- Someone picking up for the owner: a properly notarized letter from the owner (color, make, model, VIN, plate and tow number), their own driver's license and a copy of the owner's ID
Ways to pay
- Cash, money order or cashier's check for the exact amount, or a credit card in the payer's name; no personal checks
- Towing and storage fees are paid in full before release
Fees
Tow $150 (more if the actual cost is higher); storage $25 per calendar day; $50 relocation fee if an uninsured car is driven off by City staff
Source: city.milwaukee.gov, checked October 13, 2026

Sources (6)

city.milwaukee.gov, checked October 13, 2026
city.milwaukee.gov, checked October 13, 2026
city.milwaukee.gov, checked October 13, 2026
city.milwaukee.gov, checked October 13, 2026
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, checked October 12, 2026
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, checked October 12, 2026

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 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

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 · Checked on October 13, 2026

Payment the lot must accept

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 · Checked on October 13, 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

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 · Checked on October 13, 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

The City's Tow Lot page says a notice goes to the owner after a tow, and a car not retrieved within 15 days of the notice may be recycled; a car of substantial value gets a second notice and may be sold or recycled 15 days after it. The page's FAQ says the owner has 15 days from the date of the tow, and that removing personal items without making payment arrangements may lead to the car being sold or recycled immediately.