Towing Laws on Private Property in Texas: What Every Driver Needs to Know

You park in what seems like a reasonable spot — a strip mall lot near Greenville Avenue, an apartment complex visitor space in Lake Highlands, or a private garage near the SMU campus — and come back to find your car gone. No ticket, no warning, just an empty space. In Texas, private property tows happen every day, and they are perfectly legal under the right circumstances. But the law also puts strict limits on property owners and towing companies. Knowing those limits is the difference between accepting an expensive bill and fighting back.

This guide breaks down Texas towing law as it applies to private property — what property owners can and cannot do, what rights you have as a vehicle owner, and exactly what steps to take if you believe your car was wrongfully towed in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

The Legal Framework: Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308

Private property towing in Texas is governed primarily by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308, which covers non-consent towing — meaning tows authorized by someone other than the vehicle owner. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) enforces these rules and licenses towing companies statewide.

Under Chapter 2308, a property owner or their authorized agent (typically a parking management company) may authorize a non-consent tow only when specific conditions are met. Both the property owner and the towing company share legal responsibility for following the law. A towing company that accepts a tow without proper authorization — or fails to follow required procedures — can face TDLR sanctions, fines, and civil liability.

When Can a Property Owner Have Your Car Towed?

Texas law allows private property owners to authorize a non-consent tow if your vehicle is:

• Parked without authorization — in a space you are not permitted to use, such as a reserved spot, a private lot with posted restrictions, or a fire lane.
• Blocking access — obstructing a driveway, fire lane, loading zone, or accessibility ramp.
• In a restricted area — such as a tow-away zone, a lot reserved for tenants or customers only, or a space requiring a permit or sticker you don't have.
• Abandoned or inoperable — left on private property for an extended period without the owner's consent.

However — and this is critical — the right to tow does not mean the property owner can tow without notice. Texas law requires specific signage to be posted before a non-consent tow can be legally authorized.

The Sign Requirements: What Must Be Posted

Under Texas Occupations Code § 2308.252, a parking facility operator must post signs that:

• Are prominently placed at each entrance to the parking facility, clearly visible to drivers entering the lot
• State that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the vehicle owner's expense
• Include the name and telephone number of the towing company that will remove vehicles
• State the maximum fees that will be charged for towing and storage (or direct drivers to TDLR's fee schedule)
• Be at least 18 inches wide and 24 inches tall (for larger facilities) and use legible, contrasting lettering

If a parking lot does not have proper signage meeting these requirements, a non-consent tow from that lot may be unlawful. Document the signage — or lack of it — immediately with photos if you discover your car has been towed.

What Must Happen After Your Car Is Towed

Once your vehicle is towed from private property in Texas, the towing company has specific legal obligations it must fulfill within strict timeframes.

Notification to Law Enforcement

Within one hour of towing your vehicle, the towing company must notify the local law enforcement agency (in Dallas, that means DPD) of the tow, including the make, model, color, license plate, and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle. Law enforcement maintains a database you can search if your car disappears. Call Dallas Police at (214) 671-4268 (non-emergency) to check for towed vehicles.

Notification to the Vehicle Owner

If the vehicle has a valid registration, the VSF (Vehicle Storage Facility) must attempt to notify the registered owner by the end of the first business day after the vehicle arrives. Notification must include the location of the VSF, a phone number, and the fees being charged.

Your Right to Retrieve Personal Property

You have the right to access a towed vehicle at the VSF to retrieve personal property — at no charge. The VSF cannot require you to pay storage or towing fees just to get your belongings out of the car.

24-Hour Retrieval Access

If the VSF accepts vehicles 24 hours a day, they must allow you to retrieve your vehicle within one hour of your request, at any time of day or night — including weekends and holidays. No VSF operating around-the-clock can refuse to release your vehicle during off-hours.

Regulated Fee Caps for Non-Consent Tows

Texas sets maximum fees that towing companies may charge for non-consent tows. TDLR publishes the official fee schedule at tdlr.texas.gov/towing. The City of Dallas may also set additional caps on towing fees within city limits — check the Dallas City Hall website for current municipal rates.

Key fee-related rules for non-consent tows in Texas include:

• The towing company must provide an itemized receipt listing every charge at the time you pay and retrieve your vehicle.
• Storage fees begin accruing only after the vehicle arrives at the VSF — not from the moment it was hooked up.
• Payment must be accepted in cash or a major credit card. A VSF that accepts only cash may be violating TDLR regulations.
• The towing company may not charge you a fee to simply release the vehicle from the hook if you return before it leaves the property (a "drop fee" must be reasonable and is capped under state law).

What Is a "Booting" and Is It Legal in Texas?

Some property owners use wheel boots (vehicle immobilizers) instead of towing. Texas law governs booting separately under Chapter 2308, Subchapter J. Key rules:

• Booting is only permitted in certain types of parking facilities and must be disclosed in the posted signage.
• The property owner or booting company must be reachable by phone 24 hours a day to release the boot within one hour of your call.
• Boot removal fees are also regulated by TDLR — the booting company cannot charge more than the TDLR maximum.
• If a boot is applied without proper signage or in violation of TDLR rules, the boot fee may be legally unenforceable.

How to Fight a Wrongful Private Property Tow in Texas

If you believe your vehicle was towed without legal justification — improper signage, unauthorized tow, excessive fees — you have three main paths:

1. Request a Tow Hearing

Under Texas Occupations Code § 2308.456, you can request a tow hearing at any Justice of the Peace Court in the county where your vehicle was towed (in Dallas, that is Dallas County Justice Courts). You have 14 days from the date of the tow to file. If you win, the court can order the towing company to refund your tow and storage fees — plus court costs. Bring photos of the parking area and any receipts you received.

2. File a Complaint with TDLR

Submit a complaint at tdlr.texas.gov/complaints or call (800) 803-9202. TDLR investigates towing companies and can impose fines, suspend licenses, or revoke a company's operating authority.

3. Contact the City of Dallas Code Compliance

If the tow occurred within Dallas city limits, the City of Dallas Code Compliance Department enforces local towing ordinances. Violations of city towing rules can be reported through Dallas 311 or online at dallascityhall.com.

What to Do the Moment You Realize Your Car Was Towed

Act quickly — storage fees accrue daily, and your window to request a tow hearing closes in 14 days. Here's the immediate checklist:

1. Photograph the parking spot — document the signage (or lack of it), any posted restrictions, and the space itself.
2. Call Dallas Police (214) 671-4268 to confirm your vehicle was towed (not stolen) and get the towing company's name and VSF address.
3. Contact the VSF directly to confirm hours, location, and total fees before you go — fees can change by the day.
4. Retrieve personal property first if you cannot immediately pay — you have the right to access your belongings at no charge.
5. Demand an itemized receipt when you pay. Review every line item and question anything that looks unusual.
6. File a tow hearing request within 14 days if you believe the tow was wrongful or the fees were excessive.

How Texas Tows Inc. Handles Private Property Towing

Texas Tows Inc. has been serving the Dallas area since 2015. Our operators hold active TDLR licenses (license #0654316VSF) and our fleet of flatbed trucks is fully insured and compliant with all Texas towing regulations. When we perform non-consent tows on behalf of property owners, we verify that proper signage is in place, notify Dallas law enforcement within the required one-hour window, and provide fully itemized receipts upon vehicle release.

We believe in doing things by the book — every time. If you have a question about a charge or want to understand your rights as a vehicle owner, call us at (817) 512-1024. We are available 24/7 and happy to help Dallas drivers navigate what can be a confusing and stressful situation.

And if you ever need a consent tow — a tow you called for — our team will always give you a clear, upfront price before we dispatch a driver. No surprises, no hidden fees. Learn more about our towing service or explore our full range of roadside assistance options.

The Bottom Line

Texas law gives private property owners the right to tow — but it equally gives vehicle owners significant protections. Proper signage is required. Fees are regulated. Your right to retrieve personal property and request a tow hearing are guaranteed by statute. Know these rights before you need them, and if you believe a tow was wrongful, act within the 14-day window to request a hearing.

Need a tow in the Dallas–Fort Worth area? Call Texas Tows Inc. at (817) 512-1024 — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.