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Tow Fees in San Antonio: Posted Maximums and Storage Rates

Answers taken from the rules Towed in San Antonio 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 5, 2026.

This website and the documents it makes are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

What are the posted maximum tow and storage charges for San Antonio?

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

For a nonconsent tow that starts inside the San Antonio city limits and is covered by article XI (a private-property tow; SAPD-directed tows are exempt, § 19-389), the most a tow company may charge for the tow is $177 for a vehicle of 10,000 pounds or less, $196 for 10,001 to 24,999 pounds, and $602 for 25,000 pounds or more. Weight is "the gross weight recorded on the vehicle registration". No other towing fees may be charged, "including charges for dollies, special equipment, or mileage" (§ 19-402(a)-(c)). The state maximums for private-property tows also apply ($272, $380, and $489 per unit up to $978; 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455), and a tow company may not charge more than a fee set by TDLR rule or authorized by the city (Occ. Code § 2308.2065). So for a car, SUV or pickup towed from a lot inside San Antonio the tow fee is at most $177. Example: a $250 tow fee for a car is within the state maximum but $73 over San Antonio's.

Source: San Antonio City Code §§ 19-401, 19-402(a)-(c), (g); Occ. Code § 2308.2065 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The TDLR rule sets the maximum that may be charged for a private property tow: $272 for light-duty tows (gross weight rating 10,000 lb or less), $380 for medium-duty (more than 10,000 but less than 25,000 lb), and $489 per unit (maximum $978) for heavy-duty (more than 25,000 lb).

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(a)-(b) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law bars a license or permit holder from charging more for a nonconsent tow than the fee set by TDLR rule (§ 2308.0575) or authorized by a political subdivision, and from charging for any service related to a nonconsent tow that is not on the TDLR or local fee list. TDLR may require a refund of the excess or of the whole charge for an unlisted service.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.2065 · Checked on September 28, 2026

What can a storage lot charge for storage in San Antonio?

The TDLR rule, applying the 2023 biennial CPI adjustment, sets the maximum daily storage fee at $22.85 for a vehicle 25 feet or less and $39.99 for a longer vehicle, and the maximum impoundment fee at $22.85. If an impoundment fee is charged, the bill must specify the exact services performed and the dates. The fees apply to government-owned storage lots too and control over conflicting city ordinances. No other storage-related fees are allowed besides those in the rule and authorized nonconsent towing fees.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.722(a), (b), (d), (e), (g); Occ. Code § 2303.1552 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law defines a storage day as beginning at midnight and ending at the next midnight, and allows a full daily fee for any part of a day, except that no more than one day's storage may be charged if the vehicle remains at the facility for less than 12 hours.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.155(d) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The law lets a storage facility charge daily storage for no more than five days before the owner notice is mailed or published (Texas-registered vehicles) or before the request for owner information is sent to the other state (out-of-state vehicles), and then for each day after notice until the vehicle is removed and all accrued charges are paid.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.155(e) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The TDLR rules cap the notification fee at $50 (plus publication cost above 50% of the fee when publication is required), provide that no notice is required if the vehicle is removed within 24 hours after the facility receives it, bar a notification fee if the vehicle is removed before notice is sent or within 24 hours, and bar any notification fee unless actual notice has been given as required.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 85.722(c), 85.703(a), (j) · Checked on October 5, 2026

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

Inside San Antonio, if you get to your illegally parked vehicle before it is hooked up, the wrecker operator must release it for free. If you arrive after it is hooked up but before it leaves the property, the operator must tell you it will be released when you pay the drop fee and give you at least 15 minutes to get the money. The drop fee is at most half the tow rate: $88.50 for a vehicle of 10,000 pounds or less ($98 for 10,001-24,999 pounds; $301 for 25,000 pounds or more). "Hooked up" means fully prepared for transport, lifted, with tow lights and safety chains attached, "and the ONLY thing remaining is for the tow operator to drive away" (§ 19-387). Once a properly hooked-up vehicle has left the property, the operator does not have to release it at the scene.

Source: San Antonio City Code §§ 19-387, 19-402(d)-(e) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The TDLR rule caps the "drop charge" (the most that may be charged to release a hooked-up vehicle before it leaves the property) at $135 for light-duty, $190 for medium-duty and $244 for heavy-duty vehicles. If the owner, authorized operator or agent is present before removal, the towing operator must advise that he or she may offer payment of the drop charge, and the tow company must accept cash, credit cards and debit cards for the drop charge.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(a)(4), (c)-(e) · Checked on October 5, 2026

What rules apply when a car is booted in San Antonio?

In a San Antonio pay lot covered by the booting article, "The maximum, total fee a permit holder may charge for removing a boot from a vehicle is thirty-five dollars ($35.00). No additional fees may be charged." No other booting fees may be charged, including for dollies, special equipment or mileage. A booted vehicle may not be towed during the first 24 hours. The company must accept cash, electronic check, debit card or credit card, and may not collect a fee from someone offering a listed form of payment it is not equipped to accept. Example: a $75 boot fee is $40 over the maximum.

Source: San Antonio City Code § 16-533 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law requires the booting company to remove a boot no later than one hour after the owner or operator contacts the company to request removal, and requires it to waive the boot removal fee (not associated parking fees) if it fails to do so.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.258(a)-(b) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The law requires a boot operator to affix a conspicuous notice to the front windshield or driver's side window stating: that the vehicle was booted and damage may occur if moved; the date and time installed; the booting company's name, address and phone; a 24-hour phone number to arrange removal; the boot removal fee and any associated parking fees; notice of the right to a hearing under Subchapter J; and, as the local authority prescribes, how to file a complaint with it. The notice must include a notice of hearing rights.

Source: Occ. Code §§ 2308.257(b), 2308.454(d) · Checked on September 28, 2026

What must the bill and the posted rate sheet show?

The law requires all storage fees to be posted at the licensed facility in view of the person claiming the vehicle, and requires a facility accepting nonconsent-towed vehicles to post a sign that states "Nonconsent tow fees schedules available on request" and to provide a copy of the nonconsent towing fee schedule on request.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.1551 · Checked on September 28, 2026

The TDLR rule requires a towing company to give its nonconsent towing fee schedule to every storage facility it uses; the schedule at the storage facility must match the one on file with TDLR and be available to any requestor during normal business hours. A towing company may not collect nonconsent towing fees unless the storage facility posts a sign in one-inch letters stating "Nonconsent tow fees schedules available on request."

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.706 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The TDLR rules bar a towing company or operator from charging a nonconsent tow fee greater than, or not listed in, the fee schedule most recently submitted to TDLR, and from charging more than, or any fee not authorized by, the statewide or local nonconsent fees under Occ. Code § 2308.2065. A license or permit holder that does so may be ordered to reimburse the vehicle owner or operator.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 86.705(h)-(k), 86.902 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The TDLR rules require a tow ticket for each nonconsent tow; a copy goes to the owner if present at the tow and to the storage facility. The tow ticket may authorize only charges directly related to the tow, must itemize each charge using the identical fee structure as the company's nonconsent fee schedule on file with the storage facility, and must show the towing company's licensed name, publicly listed phone number, TDLR license or registration number, and the towing operator's TDLR license number. Operators must carry and openly display their original TDLR license while towing.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 86.709, 86.715(j)-(n), (p) · Checked on October 5, 2026

Put a charge next to a posted maximum

Pick a posted maximum and type the amount on your bill. The box shows the two numbers side by side; which amount applies to a tow depends on its facts.

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