Discovering an unauthorized vehicle on your private commercial property can be a significant headache, creating parking issues, potential liability concerns, and an unwelcome aesthetic. Understanding how to get a car towed off my business property legally and efficiently is crucial for any business owner. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps, ensuring you comply with local laws and protect your property without running into legal trouble yourself. Proper procedures are key to avoiding disputes and managing your premises effectively.
Understanding Unauthorized Parking on Your Property
Unauthorized parking occurs when a vehicle occupies a space on private property without the owner’s permission or in violation of posted rules. This can range from a customer leaving their car overnight to an entirely unrelated vehicle blocking access. As a business owner, you have the right to manage your property, but removing a vehicle isn’t as simple as calling a tow truck. State and local laws heavily regulate private property towing to protect vehicle owners from predatory practices. Failing to follow these regulations can lead to legal action against your business for illegal towing.
Key Legal Considerations Before Towing
Before taking any action to get a car towed off your business property, it’s imperative to understand the legal framework governing private property towing in your jurisdiction. These laws vary significantly by state, county, and even city. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, and non-compliance can lead to hefty fines or lawsuits.
Local and State Laws Governing Private Property Towing
Every state has specific statutes regarding when and how a private property owner can have a vehicle towed. These laws typically cover:
- Notice Requirements: How much notice must be given to the vehicle owner (if identifiable) before towing.
- Signage Requirements: The type, size, location, and wording of “No Parking” or “Towing Enforced” signs.
- Towing Company Regulations: Licensing requirements for towing companies, maximum fees they can charge, and how long they must hold a vehicle.
- Release Procedures: How the vehicle owner can retrieve their car, including payment methods and documentation required.
- Impound Lot Location: The maximum distance a vehicle can be towed from the private property.
It’s crucial to research your specific local ordinances. Many municipal websites provide detailed guides for property owners regarding private property towing. Consulting with a local attorney familiar with real estate or property law can also provide invaluable advice tailored to your business location.
The Importance of Proper Signage
This is arguably the most critical aspect of legal private property towing. In most jurisdictions, you cannot legally tow a vehicle from your private property unless specific, compliant signage is prominently displayed. These signs serve as explicit notice to drivers that parking is restricted and unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Typical signage requirements include:
- Visibility: Signs must be clearly visible from all entrances to the parking area and from every parking space.
- Wording: Must clearly state that unauthorized vehicles will be towed, often including the phrase “at owner’s expense.”
- Contact Information: Often required to include the name and phone number of the towing company that will be used.
- Size and Lettering: Minimum size requirements for the sign itself and the lettering to ensure readability.
- Height: Signs must be posted at a certain height above the ground.
Without proper signage, a towing company may refuse to tow the vehicle, or if they do, your business could be held liable for an illegal tow. Always verify your signs meet all current local regulations.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Car Towed
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the legal landscape and ensured your property has compliant signage, you can proceed with the process of getting an unauthorized vehicle towed.
Step 1: Verify the Vehicle is Truly Unauthorized
Before making that call, double-check that the vehicle truly meets the criteria for unauthorized parking.
- Check Parking Rules: Is the car parked in a designated “No Parking” zone? Is it blocking an entrance or exit? Has it exceeded a time limit?
- Employee/Customer Vehicle: Ensure it doesn’t belong to an employee, a legitimate customer (perhaps running a quick errand), or a delivery driver. A quick check with staff or a look at your security footage might clarify the situation.
- Handicapped Spaces: If it’s in a handicapped space without a visible permit, it’s a clear violation, but ensure your signs cover this specifically.
- Expired Permits: If you use parking permits, verify the vehicle’s permit is indeed expired or invalid.
Mistakenly towing an authorized vehicle can lead to significant headaches and legal repercussions for your business.
Step 2: Document the Violation
Comprehensive documentation is your best defense against potential disputes.
- Photographs/Videos: Take multiple photos or videos of the vehicle.
- Show the vehicle’s position, clearly demonstrating the violation (e.g., blocking an entrance, parked illegally).
- Capture the license plate, make, model, and color of the vehicle.
- Photograph the surrounding area, including your compliant “No Parking” or “Towing Enforced” signs, to prove they were clearly visible.
- Note the date and time these photos were taken.
- Incident Log: Create a simple log entry.
- Date and time of discovery.
- Description of the vehicle (make, model, color, license plate).
- Exact location of the vehicle on your property.
- Nature of the violation.
- Name of the employee who identified the violation.
This evidence will be invaluable if the vehicle owner disputes the tow or claims an illegal towing.
Step 3: Contact a Reputable Towing Company
Do not use just any towing company. You need one that is licensed, insured, and experienced in private property towing.
- Pre-existing Agreement: Ideally, you should have a pre-existing agreement with a local towing service. Many towing companies offer such services to businesses, often providing signs that meet local requirements. This ensures they are familiar with the laws and your property.
- Verify Credentials: If you don’t have an agreement, confirm the company is properly licensed and insured to perform private property impounds in your area. Ask about their procedures and ensure they align with local laws.
- Response Time: Inquire about their typical response time, especially if the vehicle is blocking critical access.
- Fees and Release: Understand their fee structure, who is responsible for paying (the vehicle owner almost always pays, but confirm), and where the vehicle will be impounded. The fees must comply with local regulations.
When you call, be prepared to provide all the documentation you gathered in Step 2. They will likely ask for the vehicle description, location, and confirmation of your signage.
Step 4: Authorize the Tow
Once the towing company arrives, they will typically verify the situation and your authority to authorize the tow.
- Property Owner/Manager: The person authorizing the tow must be the owner of the property or an authorized agent (e.g., a manager or security personnel) with clear authority.
- Signed Authorization: The towing company will usually require a signed authorization form from you or your authorized representative before they proceed with the tow. This document will detail the vehicle, location, and the reason for the tow. Keep a copy for your records.
- Towing Company’s Due Diligence: A reputable towing company will also perform its own due diligence, checking for proper signage and verifying the violation before hooking up the vehicle. This helps protect both your business and theirs.
Step 5: Follow Up and Record Keeping
Even after the vehicle is gone, your responsibility isn’t entirely over.
- Notify Law Enforcement (if required): In some jurisdictions, property owners or towing companies are required to notify local law enforcement (e.g., police or sheriff’s department) after a private property tow, providing details about the vehicle and the impound location. This helps ensure the vehicle isn’t reported stolen. Confirm if this is a requirement in your area.
- Maintain Records: Keep all your documentation – photos, incident logs, copies of the towing authorization, and contact information for the towing company – organized and accessible. This record is vital if a dispute arises.
- Review and Prevent: After the incident, review your parking policies and signage. Were there any ambiguities? Can you improve your enforcement to prevent future unauthorized parking? Clearer policies and more visible signs can significantly reduce repeat occurrences.
What NOT to Do When a Car is Illegally Parked
Just as important as knowing the correct steps is understanding what actions to avoid. Mistakes here can have serious legal and financial consequences for your business.
- Do Not Attempt Self-Towing: Never try to move or tow the vehicle yourself, even if you have the equipment. This is illegal and extremely dangerous. Only licensed and authorized towing companies should perform this service.
- Do Not Damage the Vehicle: Under no circumstances should you or your employees attempt to damage, vandalize, or otherwise deface the vehicle. This includes tire slashing, breaking windows, or attempting to block it in permanently. This can lead to criminal charges and significant civil lawsuits.
- Do Not Confront the Driver Aggressively: If the driver returns while the towing company is on site, remain calm and let the towing professionals handle the interaction. Aggressive confrontation can escalate the situation and potentially put you or your employees in danger.
- Do Not Impede the Vehicle’s Removal (Once Authorized): Once you’ve authorized the tow, and the towing company is in the process of removing the vehicle, do not interfere or change your mind mid-tow without understanding the potential costs and liabilities associated with a “drop fee.”
- Do Not Fail to Have Proper Signage: As mentioned, towing without proper signage is often illegal and leaves you open to liability. Ensure your signs are always up-to-date and compliant.
- Do Not Charge a Fee to the Vehicle Owner: Your business cannot charge the vehicle owner a fee directly for the illegal parking or for the release of their vehicle. All charges related to the tow and impoundment are handled by the towing company as regulated by law.
Preventing Future Unauthorized Parking
Prevention is always better than a reactive tow. Implementing clear strategies can significantly reduce instances of unauthorized parking on your business property.
Implement Clear Parking Policies
Develop and clearly communicate a comprehensive parking policy for your business.
- Designated Parking: Clearly mark employee parking, customer parking, delivery zones, and visitor spaces.
- Time Limits: If applicable, enforce time limits for customer parking and ensure signs reflect these limits.
- Permit Systems: Consider a parking permit system for employees or long-term visitors, making it easy to identify authorized vehicles.
- Security Patrols: If your business is large, consider regular security patrols to monitor parking areas.
Regular Signage Maintenance
Signs can degrade over time due to weather, vandalism, or simply fading.
- Regular Inspections: Periodically inspect all your “No Parking” and “Towing Enforced” signs to ensure they are visible, legible, and still compliant with local regulations.
- Replace Damaged Signs: Immediately replace any signs that are damaged, obscured, or no longer meet the required standards.
Communication and Education
Sometimes, unauthorized parking is a simple misunderstanding.
- Staff Training: Educate your employees on parking policies and the correct procedure for reporting unauthorized vehicles.
- Customer Information: Consider placing polite notices or information on your website regarding your parking policies if it’s a common issue.
Proactive measures create a more controlled environment, reducing the need for costly and potentially contentious towing incidents. For all your automotive repair and maintenance needs, remember to visit maxmotorsmissouri.com.
Conclusion
Successfully navigating how to get a car towed off my business property requires a thorough understanding of local laws, meticulous documentation, and a partnership with a reputable towing service. By following these steps and prioritizing prevention, you can maintain control over your private property, ensure adequate parking for your customers and employees, and avoid unnecessary legal complications. Always prioritize legal compliance and clear communication to protect your business.
Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Cristian Steven
