Questions about towing in San Diego

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

SDPD Procedure 7.08 states it is unlawful for a tow operator to knowingly charge an excessive towing, service, or storage rate, or to fail to make the tow rate available within 24 hours of a request by law enforcement, the Attorney General, a District Attorney, or a City Attorney. For prosecution, the procedure calls for the rates charged and the law enforcement rates for San Diego Police Department or CHP tows within the City of San Diego.

Source: SDPD Department Procedure 7.08 (Mar. 14, 2019), § VII.B; Veh. Code § 22658 · Checked on September 27, 2026

The law defines a towing and/or storage charge for a private-property tow as 'excessive' if it exceeds the GREATER of: (i) what would have been charged for that towing/storage made at the request of the law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction in the city where the property is located (under that agency's agreement with a towing company), or (ii) the rate approved for that tow operator by the California Highway Patrol for that jurisdiction.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(i)(1)(A)(i)-(ii) · Checked on October 5, 2026

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

The law limits storage charges: if the vehicle is released within 24 hours from when it was brought into the storage facility, regardless of calendar date, the storage charge may be for only one day; no more than one day's storage may be charged for a vehicle released the same day it was stored.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(i)(2) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law treats as presumptively unreasonable storage fees above 50 percent of the daily storage rate when a vehicle is recovered within the first four hours of storage.

Source: Veh. Code § 22524.5(c)(3)(K) · Checked on October 5, 2026

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

SDPD's page states that everyone whose vehicle is towed by the City is afforded a post storage hearing under Veh. Code 22852. The registered or legal owner is sent a notice of the impound and must call SDPD Tow Administration at 858-495-7830, or mail back the notification to the address on it, within 10 days of the mailed notice. The hearing is held over the phone and is evidence-based; Tow Administration states whether the tow was valid within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

Source: SDPD, Vehicle Impounds and Towing - Towing Claims; San Diego Mun. Code § 82.33-82.34; Veh. Code § 22852 · Checked on September 27, 2026

The law requires, when a public agency directs storage of a vehicle, that notice of storage be mailed or personally delivered to the registered and legal owners within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays), stating the agency's name, address and phone; storage location and vehicle description (make, manufacturer, plate, mileage if available); the authority and purpose for removal; and that the owner must request a poststorage hearing in person, in writing, or by phone within 10 days of the notice date.

Source: Veh. Code § 22852(b) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law requires the agency or person directing a public-agency storage to give the registered and legal owners (or agents) the opportunity for a poststorage hearing on the validity of the storage, held within 48 hours of the request (excluding weekends and holidays), by a hearing officer who is not the person who directed the storage. If the hearing finds reasonable grounds for storage were not established, the agency pays the towing and storage costs.

Source: Veh. Code § 22852(a), (c), (e) · Checked on October 5, 2026

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

For a private-property tow based on signage, the law requires a sign displayed in plain view at ALL entrances to the property, at least 17 x 22 inches, lettering at least 1 inch high, that (1) prohibits public parking, (2) says vehicles will be removed at the owner's expense, (3) gives the phone number of the local traffic law enforcement agency, and (4) gives the name and phone number of each towing company that has a written general towing authorization agreement with the property owner or person in lawful possession. Signage is one of four alternative circumstances in 22658(a) that allow removal.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(a)(1) · Checked on October 5, 2026

Where can I file a complaint about a tow in San Diego?

SDPD's Know Your Towing Rights page states that a motorist who wants help getting a tow company to release a vehicle should call local law enforcement, and that towing violations are reported through a Towing Complaint Form with the San Diego City Attorney's Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit. The page also states SDPD and the City Attorney's Office are working to ensure towing in the City is lawful.

Source: SDPD, Know Your Towing Rights (sandiego.gov/police/services/vehicle-impounds-towing/know-your-rights) · Checked on September 27, 2026

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

The law requires the person operating or in charge of the storage facility to accept a valid bank credit card or cash for payment of towing and storage from the registered owner, legal owner, or owner's agent. The card must be in the name of the person presenting it. Retail-store credit cards are excluded.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(k)(1) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law gives the owner or agent the right to pay by cash, insurer's check, or a valid bank credit card; credit charges for towing and storage must comply with Civil Code § 1748.1 (no credit card surcharge).

Source: Veh. Code § 22651.07(c)(5) · Checked on October 5, 2026

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

The law gives the vehicle owner or agent the right, before paying any towing or storage fees, to receive personal property from the vehicle at no charge during normal business hours (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except state holidays).

Source: Veh. Code § 22651.07(c)(1) · Checked on October 5, 2026

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

The law provides that the tow company's possession arises only when the vehicle is removed from the private property and is in transit. If the owner or owner's agent asks before that, the towing company or its driver must immediately and unconditionally release the vehicle (the owner must then immediately move it to a lawful location).

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(g)(1)(A)-(C), (g)(2) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law limits the charge when the owner/agent returns after the vehicle is coupled to or lifted by the tow truck but before it is removed from the property: the towing company may charge not more than one-half of its regular towing charge. The regular towing charge may only be imposed after the vehicle has been removed from the property and is in transit.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(h) · Checked on October 5, 2026

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

SDPD's page states that vehicles towed by the City of San Diego can be searched on AutoReturn online, by email to service-sd-ca@autoreturn.com, or by phone at 619-527-4392; AutoReturn covers only City of San Diego tows. If the vehicle is not found there, the page lists the SDPD non-emergency line, 619-531-2000. The page says the impound process can take at least three hours, that callers should have their name, plate or VIN, and make and model, and that the caller will be given the tow company name, vehicle location and fees due.

Source: SDPD, Vehicle Impounds and Towing (sandiego.gov/police/services/vehicle-impounds-towing) · Checked on September 27, 2026

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

The law allows a peace officer or parking enforcement employee to immobilize (boot) a vehicle on a highway or public land that has five or more delinquent parking tickets (or five failure-to-pay/appear traffic notices), until the person furnishes identity, a California address, and satisfactory evidence the penalties and bail are paid (or demands a hearing before a magistrate or hearing examiner). It provides that no other person may immobilize a vehicle.

Source: Veh. Code § 22651.7(a)-(b) · Checked on October 5, 2026