Towing in San Antonio by the numbers
Only numbers printed in public records and official sources. Each one links to its source and shows the date we last checked it. If a number isn't in an official source, it isn't here.
This website and the documents it makes are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.
San Antonio's tow, boot and impound-lot maximums
- $177
City maximum for a light-duty nonconsent tow from private property (City Code since January 31, 2013).
Source: San Antonio City Code § 19-402(b); checked October 5, 2026
- $196
City maximum for a medium-duty nonconsent tow from private property.
Source: San Antonio City Code § 19-402(b); checked October 5, 2026
- $602
City amount for a heavy-duty nonconsent tow from private property (above the state's per-unit maximum of $489).
Source: San Antonio City Code § 19-402(b); 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(b); checked October 5, 2026
- $35
Maximum total fee to remove a boot at a pay parking facility; no other fees may be charged.
Source: San Antonio City Code § 16-533(b); checked October 5, 2026
- $20
Impound fee at the San Antonio Police impound lot.
Source: San Antonio City Code §§ 19-51.1, 19-53, 19-53.1; checked October 5, 2026
- $20
Daily storage at the San Antonio Police impound lot, for any size of vehicle.
Source: San Antonio City Code §§ 19-51.1, 19-53, 19-53.1; checked October 5, 2026
- $50
Notification fee at the San Antonio Police impound lot, for the certified notice that the vehicle will be sold if it is not picked up.
Source: San Antonio City Code §§ 19-51.1, 19-53, 19-53.1; checked October 5, 2026
- $54
Filing fee for a tow hearing ("Towing Administrative Hearing") in a Bexar County justice court, with no service fee.
Source: Bexar County Justice of the Peace Filing Fees (2026); checked October 13, 2026
- 4
Justice courts in Bexar County; the county's form says a tow hearing request may be filed in any justice court in the county the vehicle was towed from (list below).
Source: Bexar County Justice of the Peace Courts; checked October 13, 2026
Police tows, the impound lot and auctions
- 55,464
Tows under the City's police towing contract in fiscal year 2022.
Source: San Antonio City Auditor, report AU23-030 (Nov. 14, 2023); checked October 7, 2026
- 36,856
Vehicles impounded at the City's lot in fiscal year 2022.
Source: San Antonio City Auditor, report AU23-030 (Nov. 14, 2023); checked October 7, 2026
- 5
Tow companies subcontracted under the City's tow-manager contract.
Source: San Antonio City Auditor, report AU23-030 (Nov. 14, 2023); checked October 7, 2026
- 93
Vehicles owned by U.S. servicemembers ("approximately 93", in the Justice Department's words) that San Antonio tow company Vehicle Management Solutions (VMS) was alleged to have sold or scrapped without the court orders federal law requires.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice press release (May 28, 2026); checked October 14, 2026
- $280,000
What VMS agreed to pay to resolve those allegations: $220,000 in compensation to the servicemembers and a $60,000 civil penalty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice press release (May 28, 2026); checked October 14, 2026
The tow hearing (Texas law)
- 14
Days to ask a justice court for a tow hearing: the written request must reach the court before the 14th day after the tow or boot, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.
Source: Occ. Code § 2308.456(a); checked October 14, 2026
- 21
Calendar days: the court must hold the hearing before the 21st calendar day after it receives the request.
Source: Occ. Code § 2308.458(a); checked October 14, 2026
State maximums that apply in every Texas city
- $272
State maximum for a light-duty private-property tow (in effect since November 1, 2021).
Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(b); checked October 7, 2026
- $135
State maximum light-duty drop charge (the car is released before it is towed away).
Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(c); checked October 7, 2026
- $22.85
State maximum daily storage at a licensed storage lot for a vehicle 25 feet long or less (since January 1, 2024).
Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.722(d)(1); TDLR notice of Jan. 3, 2024; checked October 7, 2026
- $22.85
State maximum impoundment fee at a licensed storage lot (since January 1, 2024).
Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.722(e); TDLR notice of Jan. 3, 2024; checked October 7, 2026
- $50
State maximum notification fee; none may be charged if the vehicle is picked up within 24 hours after the lot received it.
Source: Occ. Code § 2303.155(c); 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.722(c); checked October 7, 2026
Complaints to TDLR, the state regulator (fiscal year 2025, statewide)
- 2,205
Consumer complaints TDLR received about tow companies and operators.
Source: TDLR, Tow Companies and Operators, Fiscal Year 2025 complaint statistics (Nov. 19, 2025); checked October 14, 2026
- 290.59
Average days TDLR took to close a towing case.
Source: TDLR, Tow Companies and Operators, Fiscal Year 2025 complaint statistics (Nov. 19, 2025); checked October 14, 2026
- $55,899.74
Consumer restitution in towing cases.
Source: TDLR, Tow Companies and Operators, Fiscal Year 2025 complaint statistics (Nov. 19, 2025); checked October 14, 2026
- 612
Consumer complaints TDLR received about vehicle storage facilities (storage lots).
Source: TDLR, Vehicle Storage Facilities, Fiscal Year 2025 complaint statistics (Nov. 19, 2025); checked October 14, 2026
- 328.80
Average days TDLR took to close a storage-lot case.
Source: TDLR, Vehicle Storage Facilities, Fiscal Year 2025 complaint statistics (Nov. 19, 2025); checked October 14, 2026
- (800) 803-9202
TDLR's toll-free number in Texas, listed on its towing consumer page. Complaints about a tow company or storage lot go to TDLR online or on its paper form.
Source: TDLR, Towing consumer information; checked October 14, 2026
Where tow hearings are heard and where towed cars are held
Justice courts that hear tow cases: Bexar County
Justice Court, Precinct 1, Bexar County
3505 Pleasanton Rd., San Antonio, TX 78221
Phone: 210-335-4500
Justice Court, Precinct 2, Bexar County
7723 Guilbeau Rd, Suite 105, San Antonio, TX 78250
Phone: 210-335-4800
Justice Court, Precinct 3, Bexar County
320 Interpark Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone: 210-335-4700
Justice Court, Precinct 4, Bexar County
8794 East Loop 1604 North #2, Converse, TX 78109
Phone: 210-335-4900
Court list checked October 13, 2026
Impound lots named by the City and County
SAPD impound facility (operated by Alanis Wrecker Service with Autura)
3625 Growdon Rd., San Antonio, TX 78227
Hours: Monday - Sunday: 24 hours
Source: www.sa.gov; checked October 7, 2026
Texas Towing (vehicles towed by Bexar County Sheriff)
422 Steves Ave., San Antonio, TX 78204
Source: www.bexar.org; checked October 7, 2026
- San Antonio (San Antonio Police Department): Find a towed car: search.autoreturn.com
Records we have asked for
- City of San Antonio: the current police towing and impound contract with its fee exhibits, the owner fee schedule and tow, impound and auction counts. Requested on October 7, 2026 (request W826348-100726); waiting for the response.
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): towing and storage-lot complaints and enforcement outcomes, by county. Requested on October 9, 2026 (request R056518-100926); waiting for the response.