Florida towing laws
Florida has no statewide dollar cap on private-property tows.
More about Florida
Counties and cities may set maximum rates, and many large counties do. State law requires tow-away signs, storage within 10 or 15 miles in most cases, release within 1 hour of a request, and a drop fee of no more than half the posted tow rate if you catch the tow in progress.
At a glance
Fee limits
Towed from a private lotApartments, stores, businesses
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Private-property tow, light vehicle1DetailsState law lets counties and cities regulate private-property tow rates. Towers must file their rates with local police and post them at the lot. | Set by city or county |
| Drop fee (tow in progress)1No more than half of the posted tow rate. | Up to 50% of the tow fee |
Any kind of tow
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Daily storage12DetailsRates are set locally. No storage fee may be charged if the vehicle is stored less than 6 hours under the state lien law. | Set by city or county |
Local rates. Many Florida counties and some cities set maximum nonconsent towing and storage rates by ordinance or resolution. A city ordinance can replace the county rates inside that city. Check the county consumer protection office where the car was towed.
What will I owe in Florida?
Estimate your bill
Got your receipt? Check it for overcharges
Type what the lot charged for each line. We flag anything above a confirmed legal cap.
Your rights: drop fee, belongings, hearing
Release for a drop feeIf you reach the car before it is towed away
If you reach the tow truck before it leaves the property, the driver must stop and return the car for a fee of no more than half the posted tow rate. You get a signed receipt.1
Get your belongings outWithout paying the tow first
The storage operator must let the owner inspect the car and release personal property not attached to the car within 1 hour during business hours after you show proof of interest, such as a title.2
Right to a hearingTo contest the tow
You can file in county court where the car is stored to decide if it was wrongfully taken or fees were wrongfully charged. You can also get the car back first by posting a bond with the clerk of court equal to the charges.2
Payment they must take
The storage operator must accept at least two of these three kinds of payment: cash or cashier's check or money order, a bank, debit, or credit card, or a mobile or electronic payment.2
Owner noticeWhat the tower must tell you or police
The tower must tell the city police or county sheriff within 30 minutes after a private-property tow. For liens, the storage operator must send notice to the owner and lienholders within a few business days after storage.12
Storage rules
Private-property tows must be stored within 10 miles in counties of 500,000 or more and within 15 miles in smaller counties, with longer limits only if no tower is close. The lot must be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on days the company tows and return within 1 hour when called after hours.12
What to bringTo get the car released
The car must be released within 1 hour of your request. You may inspect it first and cannot be made to sign a damage waiver. Bring a government photo ID and proof of interest.12
Tow-away signsRequired on private lots
Signs must be at each driveway entrance within 10 feet of the road, say tow-away zone in letters at least 4 inches high, give the tow company name and phone, and be up at least 24 hours before towing. Single-family homes are exempt.1
Other deadlines
- File suit after posting bond: If you post a bond to get the car back, you must start a court case within 45 days or the bond can go to the tower.2
- Earliest lien sale: An unclaimed car can be sold 35 days after storage for an older model or 57 days for a newer model.2
By situation
Florida cities
Think the tow or the bill was wrong?
Ask the lot for an itemized receipt, compare it to the legal limits in Florida, and request a hearing before the deadline. Our step-by-step guide and calculator are free.
Guides: how to fight a tow · what to bring · impound costs by city
Questions
Is there a limit on towing fees in Florida?
Florida has no statewide cap on the main towing fees. Cities and counties may set their own.
Does a tow truck have to release my car in Florida if I get there first?
If you reach the tow truck before it leaves the property, the driver must stop and return the car for a fee of no more than half the posted tow rate. You get a signed receipt.
Can I get my belongings out of a towed car in Florida?
The storage operator must let the owner inspect the car and release personal property not attached to the car within 1 hour during business hours after you show proof of interest, such as a title.
How do I contest a tow in Florida?
You can file in county court where the car is stored to decide if it was wrongfully taken or fees were wrongfully charged. You can also get the car back first by posting a bond with the clerk of court equal to the charges.
What payment do tow lots have to accept in Florida?
The storage operator must accept at least two of these three kinds of payment: cash or cashier's check or money order, a bank, debit, or credit card, or a mobile or electronic payment.
Sources
Last checked Nov 14, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the lot or agency before you go. Spot an error? Tell us.
- Vehicles or vessels parked on private property, towing (Fla. Stat. § 715.07), Florida Legislature. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Liens for recovering, towing, or storing vehicles and vessels (Fla. Stat. § 713.78), Florida Legislature. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Maximum Non-Consent Towing Rates, Pinellas County Consumer Protection. Checked Nov 14, 2026.