Unattended Vehicle Towing in Dallas: A Guide for Property Managers

If you manage an apartment complex, retail center, HOA, or commercial property in Dallas, unattended and unauthorized vehicles are almost certainly a recurring problem. Whether it's a tenant parking in a reserved spot, a non-resident taking up all-night visitor parking, or a genuinely abandoned vehicle collecting dust in your lot, the issue is real — and it's yours to solve.

The good news: Texas law gives property managers broad authority to remove unauthorized vehicles from private property. The not-so-good news: that authority comes with specific rules you must follow, or you could face liability, fines, or costly disputes with vehicle owners.

This guide breaks down everything Dallas property managers need to know about non-consent towing — the legal framework, signage requirements, how to choose a TDLR-licensed tow operator, and what to expect when you call Texas Tows.

What Is Non-Consent Towing?

In Texas, a non-consent tow is any tow where the vehicle owner did not request or authorize the tow. It covers:

• Parking-violation tows (vehicle in a reserved or restricted space)
• Private-property tows initiated by the property owner or manager
• Abandoned-vehicle removals from private lots
• Incident-management tows ordered by police (separate TDLR rules apply)

Non-consent tows from private property are governed by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308 and regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Both the towing company AND the property manager have obligations under this law.

Property Manager Authority Under Texas Law

Under Tex. Occ. Code § 2308.252, a parking facility owner (which includes property managers acting on the owner's behalf) may have a vehicle towed if:

• The vehicle is parked in a space it's not authorized to use
• The vehicle is blocking access, fire lanes, dumpsters, or driveways
• The vehicle has been abandoned (no license plates, inoperable, left for extended time)
• The vehicle belongs to a non-resident in a permit-only lot
• The vehicle is in violation of a written lease agreement

Importantly, you do not need a police report to tow from your private property in most cases. You or your authorized agent (on-site manager, security contractor, etc.) can call a licensed tow company directly.

Required Signage — The Most Common Compliance Failure

The #1 reason non-consent tows get disputed — and sometimes reversed — is improper or missing signage. Texas law is specific about what your signs must say and where they must be posted.

Sign Content Requirements (Tex. Occ. Code § 2308.301–305)

Each sign must display:

• A statement that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the vehicle owner's expense
• The name and telephone number of the towing company
• The maximum fees the towing company may charge for the tow AND for storage (per TDLR rate schedule)
• The address of the storage facility where towed vehicles will be held
• A statement that the vehicle owner has a right to a hearing before a justice of the peace

Sign Placement Requirements

• Signs must be posted at every vehicle entrance to the parking facility
• Minimum height: bottom of sign at least 5 feet from the ground
• Signs must be illuminated or reflective so they're readable at night
• For gated communities with electronic entry, a sign must still be visible at the entrance

Pro tip: Take dated photos of your signs every 90 days. If a tow is ever disputed, you'll want proof the signs were up and compliant at the time of the tow.

Abandoned Vehicle Rules in Dallas

Abandoned vehicles are a special category. Under Tex. Transp. Code § 683.001, a vehicle is considered abandoned on private property if it:

• Has been left for more than 48 hours and is inoperable, or
• Has been left for more than 5 days whether operable or not

For vehicles that meet the abandoned threshold, you have two options:

1. Work with a licensed tow operator — they handle the TDLR notification and storage requirements, which relieves most of the administrative burden from you.
2. File an abandoned vehicle report with the Dallas Police Department — DPD will investigate and can order the vehicle towed under a non-consent/police authority hold.

In most cases, working with a licensed tow company directly is faster. Dallas Tows police-initiated tows can take weeks due to DPD workload.

TDLR Licensing — Why It Matters for Property Managers

Any towing company you authorize to operate on your property must hold a current TDLR license. This isn't just a technicality — if an unlicensed operator tows a vehicle from your property, you may share liability for damages, storage fees, and the cost of the vehicle owner's hearing.

Texas Tows is TDLR-licensed (license #0654316VSF) and maintains all required operator certifications. Before signing any contract with a tow company, ask for their TDLR license number and verify it at tdlr.texas.gov.

A legitimate tow company will also:

• Provide a written tow slip for every vehicle removed from your property
• Notify the vehicle owner within 24 hours of the tow (TDLR requirement)
• Allow the vehicle owner to retrieve personal property from the vehicle even before paying the tow fee
• Honor the posted fee schedule — they cannot charge more than what's on your signs

What Property Managers Are (and Aren't) Responsible For

There's a common misconception that authorizing a tow makes you personally liable for the vehicle owner's costs. In general, that's not how Texas law works — as long as you followed the rules.

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining proper signage that meets TDLR standards
• Only authorizing tows through a licensed tow operator
• Keeping records of your authorization (date, time, reason for tow, who you called)
• Not authorizing tows of vehicles with disabled placards in accessible spaces (ADA applies)

You are NOT responsible for:

• Storage fees charged by the tow company after the vehicle is removed
• Vehicle damage that occurred before the tow (document condition pre-tow if possible)
• The vehicle owner's hearing costs if they choose to dispute the tow

How the Tow Process Works — What to Expect

When you call Texas Tows to remove an unauthorized vehicle from your Dallas property, here's what happens:

1. You (or your agent) initiate the call — provide the vehicle description, location in the lot, and reason for tow. Our dispatcher confirms your authorization.
2. We dispatch a flatbed or appropriate truck — arrival typically within 30–45 minutes depending on time of day and location.
3. The operator documents the vehicle — photos before hooking up, license plate, VIN, condition notes. This protects both you and us.
4. Vehicle is transported to our secure storage facility — at 4245 N Central Expy #490, Dallas, TX 75205.
5. We notify the vehicle owner within 24 hours — by mail and/or phone if contact info is available through TxDMV records.
6. Owner retrieves the vehicle — they pay the tow and storage fees to us directly. You are not involved in that transaction.

We also provide property managers with a tow log upon request — useful documentation if a tenant disputes the tow or files a complaint.

Setting Up a Property Management Agreement with Texas Tows

If you manage multiple properties or need reliable on-call towing service, Texas Tows offers property management towing agreements. Benefits include:

• Priority dispatch for your properties
• Standardized documentation and tow logs
• Signage consultation — we'll walk through your lot and confirm your signs meet TDLR requirements
• 24/7 availability — towing issues don't happen during business hours
• TDLR-licensed operators on every call

We've been serving Dallas property managers since 2015 with the same licensing, insurance, and documentation standards every time.

Common Questions from Dallas Property Managers

Can I tow a vehicle immediately if it's blocking a fire lane?

Yes. Fire lane violations are an imminent safety hazard and can be towed immediately under Tex. Occ. Code § 2308.252(a)(4), even without the standard signage otherwise required — though having proper signs still protects you from disputes.

What if the vehicle owner threatens to sue me?

Vehicle owners do have the right to request a hearing before a justice of the peace to contest the tow fee (§ 2308.452). However, if you followed the signage rules and used a licensed tow company, these hearings rarely go in the vehicle owner's favor. Document everything: the sign photos, the tow authorization, the operator's tow slip.

Can I tow a vehicle that's been there for just a few hours?

If the vehicle is in an unauthorized space (reserved, permit-only, blocking access), yes — there's no minimum time requirement for a parking-violation tow. For abandoned-vehicle status (inoperable or left for days), the 48-hour / 5-day thresholds apply.

Do I need to notify residents before authorizing a tow?

Not legally — but best practice is to include clear towing rules in your lease agreements and send a written reminder at least once a year. Courts look more favorably on property managers who gave residents fair notice through the lease before towing their vehicle.

What about HOAs — are the rules different?

HOAs have the same Chapter 2308 obligations as any other parking facility owner for common areas and guest parking. For private driveways or lots attached to individual units, the rules are a bit more nuanced. If you manage an HOA in the Dallas area, call us and we'll walk through your specific situation.

The Bottom Line for Dallas Property Managers

Managing unauthorized and unattended vehicles doesn't have to be a headache — but it does require following the rules. Proper TDLR-compliant signage, a licensed tow partner, and good documentation will protect you from disputes and keep your parking facilities running smoothly.

Texas Tows has been the trusted towing partner for Dallas-area property managers since 2015. Our TDLR-licensed operators handle non-consent tows, abandoned vehicle removals, and flatbed transport — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Ready to set up a property management towing agreement or need an unauthorized vehicle removed today? Call us at (817) 512-1024 — we're available around the clock.

Learn more about our unattended vehicle towing services or view all towing services available to Dallas property owners and managers.