Florida Towing Laws: Regulations, Fees, and Vehicle Owner Rights
Meta description: Learn how Florida towing laws regulate private-property tows, required notices, towing and storage fees, vehicle release, and ways to challenge an improper tow.
A vehicle can be towed in Florida from a private lot, after a crash, or at the direction of law enforcement. The rules depend on why the tow occurred, who authorized it, and where the vehicle is stored. Florida law gives vehicle owners specific protections, including requirements for private-property signs, notice to law enforcement, access to personal belongings, and written notice in many cases. Knowing which rules apply—and acting promptly—can help an owner recover a vehicle and question charges that may be improper.
Which Florida Laws Govern Towing?
Two Florida statutes cover many common towing situations. Florida Statute 715.07 addresses towing and storage from private property without the vehicle owner’s consent. Florida Statute 713.78 addresses towing and storage liens, notice, and the sale of unclaimed vehicles. Other rules may apply to police-directed tows, crash removals, local licensing, and towing on public roads.
There is no single statewide rule for every towing fee or every tow scenario. Local governments may impose additional requirements, and the relevant rules can differ between a private-property tow and one requested by law enforcement. The location of the tow and the reason for it matter.
Private-Property Towing Rules in Florida
Under Section 715.07, a property owner or the owner’s authorized agent may have a vehicle towed from private property when it is parked without permission, subject to statutory requirements. The law covers many shopping centers, apartment complexes, and other private lots. It also includes exceptions and specific procedures, so a tow should not be assumed lawful or unlawful based on signage alone.
Signs and Authorization
In many circumstances, a property must post signs at each entrance to notify drivers that unauthorized vehicles may be towed. The statute specifies sign placement, size, lettering, and wording requirements. It also provides exceptions, including certain property arrangements and circumstances where other notice or authorization rules apply. The exact requirements should be checked against the current statute and any local ordinance.
A tow may also require authorization from the property owner or an authorized agent. Florida law limits certain towing practices, including so-called “spotters” arranging removals without the required authorization. A vehicle owner disputing a tow can ask who authorized it and when, and can photograph signs and lot entrances if it is safe and practical to do so.
When the Owner Appears Before Removal
If the vehicle owner or authorized person arrives before the vehicle has been completely removed from the property, Section 715.07 generally requires the towing operator to release it upon payment of a reasonable service fee. The statute limits that fee to no more than half the posted towing rate. This is not the same as a rule that every tow must be canceled whenever the driver appears; timing and the statutory conditions matter.
Owners should speak with the operator calmly and document the time of arrival, the vehicle’s condition, and any amount demanded. If the vehicle is already fully removed, different recovery and fee rules apply.
Florida Towing Fees and Vehicle Release
Florida does not set one universal price for every private-property tow. Applicable rates may be affected by local ordinances, the type of tow, and the operator’s posted fee schedule. For a private-property tow governed by Section 715.07, the towing-storage facility must display its fee schedule conspicuously. Owners can request an itemized bill and compare each charge with the posted schedule and any applicable local limits.
Charges may include towing, storage, and certain administrative or related services, depending on the circumstances and applicable rules. A fee’s name alone does not establish that it is lawful. The owner should ask for the specific basis for each charge and retain receipts, photographs, and written communications.
For a tow covered by Section 715.07, the operator generally must allow a vehicle to be released within one hour after the owner or authorized person requests release during normal business hours, subject to the statute’s conditions. Owners should call the storage facility as soon as they learn where the vehicle is and record the time of the request. Local rules or a different type of tow may affect the applicable procedure.
Getting Personal Property From a Towed Vehicle
Florida law provides access to personal property in a towed vehicle in specified circumstances. Under Section 715.07, a towing operator must allow the owner or authorized person to inspect the vehicle and retrieve personal property during normal business hours, without paying a towing or storage charge solely to access those belongings. The vehicle itself may remain subject to lawful charges and lien procedures.
Call ahead to confirm the facility’s hours and what identification or proof of authority it requires. If the vehicle contains essential items, explain the need clearly and document any refusal or conditions imposed. Do not enter a storage yard without permission or attempt to remove the vehicle yourself.
Notice Requirements and Towing Liens
Section 713.78 establishes lien and notice procedures for towing and storage. In many cases, the towing or storage operator must send notice to the registered owner and any recorded lienholders. The statute sets requirements for the notice, including how it is sent and what information it must contain. Deadlines and steps can vary with the circumstances, so an owner should not wait for a sale notice before taking action.
The law also requires towing operators to report certain towed vehicles to law enforcement within a specified period. For private-property tows covered by Section 715.07, the operator generally must notify the appropriate law enforcement agency within 30 minutes after the vehicle arrives at the storage facility. This reporting requirement helps make the vehicle’s location available to the owner.
If a vehicle remains unclaimed, statutory lien procedures may eventually permit its sale or disposal. The notice process and applicable waiting periods depend on the vehicle and the facts. An owner who receives a notice should read it promptly, contact the facility, and seek legal advice if ownership, lien rights, or the deadline is disputed.
What to Do If a Vehicle Is Towed
- Confirm the vehicle was towed. Contact local law enforcement or use the agency’s vehicle lookup service, if available. For a private-lot tow, ask the property manager for the towing company’s name and contact details.
- Call the storage facility. Confirm the vehicle’s location, hours, accepted payment methods, and the total amount needed for release. Ask for an itemized breakdown and the posted fee schedule.
- Bring proof. Have identification, registration or other proof of ownership, and any required authorization if collecting the vehicle for someone else. Ask the facility in advance about its requirements.
- Document the condition and charges. Photograph the vehicle before driving away, keep the receipt, and save notices, text messages, and call records. Record dates and times, especially when requesting release or personal property.
- Raise a dispute in writing. Explain which charge, sign, authorization, or procedure is being challenged. Include supporting evidence and request a written response.
Prompt recovery can prevent storage charges from accumulating. Paying to retrieve a vehicle does not necessarily resolve a dispute about whether the tow or charges complied with law. Owners should keep clear records if they intend to seek a refund or file a complaint.
How to Challenge a Tow or Fee
Start by identifying the type of tow and the rules that apply. For a private-property tow, review Section 715.07, the posted signs, the facility’s fee schedule, and any city or county towing ordinance. For a tow following a crash or law-enforcement action, ask the requesting agency which company was called and whether a local rotation or contract applied.
Potential concerns include missing or inadequate signs where signs are required, lack of proper authorization, failure to provide access to personal property, charges that differ from the posted schedule, or failure to follow applicable notice and reporting procedures. A single concern does not automatically prove a legal violation; the facts and applicable exceptions matter.
Complaints may be directed to the local law-enforcement agency, city or county consumer-protection office, or other local authority responsible for towing enforcement. Some local governments license or regulate tow operators and maintain complaint procedures. The Florida Attorney General’s consumer resources may also help direct consumers, but it does not decide every individual towing dispute. For a significant loss, threatened sale, or contested lien, a Florida attorney can assess available remedies and deadlines.
Private-Property Tows Compared With Other Tows
| Tow situation | Rules to check | Useful first step |
|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized parking on private property | Florida Statute 715.07, required signs and authorization, fee schedule, and local ordinances | Ask the property manager who authorized the tow and where the vehicle was taken |
| Crash or disabled vehicle | Florida Statute 713.78, agency procedures, local rules, and any applicable contract | Contact the law-enforcement agency or insurer and obtain the storage facility’s details |
| Vehicle left in storage | Florida Statute 713.78 lien, notice, and disposition procedures | Read any mailed notice immediately and contact the operator about deadlines |
This comparison is a starting point, not a substitute for reviewing the current law. A tow that appears similar to another may be governed by different provisions because it was ordered by police, followed a collision, or occurred under a local program.
Practical Ways to Reduce Towing Problems
- Check parking signs before leaving a vehicle. Look at entrances, curb markings, permit rules, and posted restrictions, especially in unfamiliar lots.
- Save documentation. Keep parking receipts, permits, text confirmations, and photographs if a dispute about permission may arise.
- Act quickly after a tow. Call the facility and arrange retrieval as soon as possible to limit storage time and avoid missing notices.
- Separate recovery from the dispute. Obtain the vehicle and belongings safely, then preserve evidence and challenge charges through the appropriate channel.
Florida towing laws give vehicle owners meaningful protections, but they also establish procedures for operators to recover towing and storage costs. The most useful first steps are to identify why the vehicle was towed, locate the current statutory and local requirements, request an itemized bill, and preserve records of every interaction.