Parking-lot tows in San Antonio: the $177 limit and the other city rules

The fee limits

For a tow that starts inside the city limits, the City Code limit 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, measured by the weight on the registration. No other towing fees are allowed. The state maximum for a light-duty private-property tow is $272, so for a car the city amount is the lower one.

Sources: City Code § 19-402 (Municode); 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455

If you catch the tow in progress

If you reach the car before it is hooked up, it must be released free. After it is hooked up but before it leaves the property, the driver must release it for a drop fee of no more than half the tow rate ($88.50 for a car) and give you at least 15 minutes to get the money. 'Hooked up' means the only thing left is to drive away.

Sources: City Code §§ 19-387, 19-402(d)-(e) (Municode)

Signs, reporting and where the car goes

Each driveway needs a tow sign; red curbs and dumpster areas must be marked 'NO PARKING-TOW AWAY ZONE'. The tow company must get an SAPD control number within 45 minutes, and the car must go straight to a storage lot inside Bexar County. A tow company removing a car must tell you why if you ask.

Sources: City Code §§ 19-390, 19-391, 19-393, 19-394, 19-405 (Municode)

Complaints and hearings

SAPD's Vehicle Crimes Unit takes complaints about private wrecker companies (210-207-7345), and TDLR takes complaints about tow companies and storage lots statewide. A justice-court tow hearing decides whether there was probable cause for the tow and whether the charges were over the city or state limits.

Sources: SAPD Vehicle Crimes Unit; Occ. Code § 2308.458

More guides

• Your car was towed in San Antonio: who has it and how to get it back
• How SAPD towing and the Growdon impound lot work
• Booted in a San Antonio pay lot: the $35 limit and other rules
• If you serve in the military: towed-car sales in San Antonio