Towed from your apartment complex in Louisiana

Property owners must post State Police approved signs at entrances and exits warning that unauthorized cars may be towed, plus signs or markings at any reserved spaces. The tow company must make sure the signs are in place before towing. If the car is towed, the most a company may charge for a private-property tow of a car in Louisiana is $152.50, plus storage.

Checked Nov 14, 2026 against the Louisiana statute and regulator pages.

What to do now

Call the property office or check the tow-away sign at the lot entrance. It must name the tow company and its phone number in most states.
Call the tow company to confirm they have the car, the address of the storage lot and the total due.
Photograph the signs, your permit or sticker and where you were parked before anything changes.
Get your car out quickly. Storage is charged by the day.
Ask for an itemized receipt and compare it to your state limits.
If the tow broke your lease or the state rules, write to the property manager and request a hearing if your state offers one.

Louisiana rules that matter here

Tow-away signs

Notice

The tow company must give you a written notice at the scene or at first contact saying the tow is nonconsent and rates are set by the Public Service Commission. The storage lot must mail notice to the owner and any lender within 10 business days after getting the owner's information from the state, or 5 business days if it got the information electronically.1 4

Personal belongings

A tow or storage company cannot charge you to get your belongings out of the car during normal business hours. Outside business hours it may charge up to 64.50 dollars.1

Hearing to contest the tow

If a public agency had your car towed and stored, you can ask that agency for an administrative hearing on whether the tow was proper. The request is due within 10 days after the owner notice is mailed and the hearing is held within 3 business days. Complaints about private tow charges go to the Public Service Commission.1 4 5

Payment

Tow companies must accept credit cards, though a card processing fee may be added as a separate line on the invoice. If you pay cash and they have no change, they must mail it to you within 10 days.1

Think the tow or the bill was wrong?

Ask the lot for an itemized receipt, compare it to the legal limits in Louisiana, and request a hearing before the deadline. Our step-by-step guide and calculator are free.

Questions

Can my apartment tow my car without warning?

In many states yes, if proper tow-away signs are posted at each entrance. Some states and leases require a warning sticker first for things like expired tags. Check your state rules and your lease.

Who do I call if my car was towed from my apartment?

Start with the tow company named on the posted sign or the property office. In Houston and Harris County you can also search FindMyTowedCar. Police usually get a report of private tows within a few hours.

Sources

Last checked Nov 14, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the lot or agency before you go. Spot an error? Tell us.

Schedule of Prescribed Rates and Requirements for Non-Consensual Towing, Recovery and Related Services (Attachment A, amended for 2025 PPI, effective 4-1-2026) (LPSC General Order 12-20-2024 (R-35595), Attachment A), Louisiana Public Service Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
General Order 12-20-2024 (R-35595), corrected (LPSC General Order 12-20-2024 (R-35595)), Louisiana Public Service Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Towing of motor vehicles from private property (La. R.S. 32:1736), Louisiana State Legislature. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Owner notification of a stored vehicle (La. R.S. 32:1720), Louisiana State Legislature. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Hearings (La. R.S. 32:1727), Louisiana State Legislature. Checked Nov 14, 2026.