First: where is your car?
Call the number on the tow-away sign where you parked, or your local police non-emergency line. California Vehicle Code section 22658 sets the rules for tows from private property, like apartment complexes, shopping centers and business lots.
The rules at a glance
| Storage lot distance | 10 miles max |
| Picked up within 24 hours | 1 day's storage |
| Caught before it's towed away | ½ the tow fee max |
| Payment the lot must take | cash or bank card |
| After-hours gate fee | ½ hourly rate max |
| Overcharged | owed 4× the charge |
If you catch the tow truck
If you get back after your car is hooked up but before it's removed from the property, the tow company can charge no more than half of its regular towing charge. The full charge only applies once the car has left the property and is in transit.
Storage and getting it back
- The storage lot must be within 10 miles of where the car was towed, unless local police gave the tow company written approval.
- The lot has to be open during normal business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except state holidays) and also release cars after hours. An after-hours gate fee can't be more than half the hourly tow rate.
- If you get the car out within 24 hours of it arriving at the lot, you pay only one day of storage. If you ask for it in the first 24 hours and the lot won't release it or isn't open, you still owe only one day until after the first business day.
- The lot must accept cash or a valid bank credit card in the name of the person paying.
Overcharged?
A tow or storage charge is excessive if it's higher than what local police pay under their tow agreement or the rate approved by the California Highway Patrol, whichever is greater. A company that charges an excessive rate is liable to the car's owner for four times the amount charged.
Common questions
How far can a California tow company take my car?
Within a 10-mile radius of the property it was towed from, unless local law enforcement gave the company prior written approval.
How much storage can a California tow lot charge if I get my car the same day?
One day. If the car is released within 24 hours of entering storage, the storage charge can only be for one day.
What if I catch the tow truck in California?
If the car is hooked up but hasn't left the property, the company can charge no more than half its regular towing charge.
What payment does a California tow lot have to take?
Cash or a valid bank credit card in the name of the person presenting it.
Checked against official sources on October 29, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or business before you act.