Car towed in Milwaukee? Tow lot, fees and lookup
Checked Nov 15, 2026 against official sources. We don't have your car: use the official lookup below.
Find your car
City of Milwaukee Towed Vehicle Search
Vehicles towed to the City of Milwaukee Tow Lot. Cars towed from private property may not appear here.1
Other ways to check:
- City of Milwaukee Tow Lot · 414-286-2700: Call if your car does not show up in the search or was towed from private property. Staff can tell you whether it went to a privately owned tow lot.1
Towed from a private lot (apartment, store)? Property owners can hire a licensed private tow contractor, or call 414-286-2489 and ask for parking enforcement help. If your car was towed from private property, it may not show up in the city search. Call the Tow Lot at 414-286-2700 to find out if it went to a privately owned tow lot.
Cars towed by the City of Milwaukee usually go to the city Tow Lot at 3811 West Lincoln Avenue. Search for your car on the city's towed vehicle search, or call the Tow Lot at 414-286-2700, which can also tell you if your car went to a private tow lot.
Milwaukee tow lot: addresses and hours
City of Milwaukee Tow Lot
City impound · run by City of Milwaukee
3811 West Lincoln Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 532151
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-1pm, Sun closed
Payment: cash, money order or cashier's check for the exact amount, Visa, MasterCard, Discover
How much it costs to get your car out in Milwaukee
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.
What to bring
- Valid driver's license, or a state photo ID plus a licensed driver with you
- Proof of liability insurance showing the insurer, the insured and the vehicle make, model, year and VIN
- Payment in full for towing and storage
- For someone picking up for the owner: a notarized letter from the owner naming the car by color, make, model, VIN, plate and tow number, plus a copy of the owner's ID
More detail, including when the car is not in your name: what to bring to the impound lot.
Local rules and how to contest
- The Tow Lot is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. It is closed Sunday and some holidays.
- You must pay all towing and storage fees in full before the car is released.
- You have 15 days from the tow to get your car, or it may be sold or recycled.
- You can take personal items out of the car. If you do that without making payment arrangements, the car may be sold or recycled right away. Only one person per day may go to the car.
- A car towed as unregistered must be registered before it can be released. A car towed under the habitual parking violator rule needs past due tickets paid or a municipal court date set.
- If the car cannot be driven, you must arrange a licensed and insured private tow company to take it off the lot. Sign the release with the cashier.
- To dispute whether your tow was legal, call the Parking Citation Review Manager at 414-286-5085.
- If your car is held as evidence, do not go to the lot. Call the Milwaukee Police Department at 414-935-7547.
Wisconsin rules that apply
Wisconsin caps what a tow company can charge for removing a car from private property. Under rule Trans 319 the limits are $150 for the tow and $25 a day for outdoor storage, plus up to $150 for special equipment or long trips when justified. A city can also require a service fee of up to $35.
- Drop fee release: Not confirmed yet.
- Your belongings: The lot must release personal property not attached to the car during regular office hours, free of charge, when you show ID. You will be told that the car is then treated as abandoned unless you sign an agreement to pay the full charges.
- Hearing: Not confirmed yet.
Think the tow was wrong?
Questions
How do I find my towed car in Milwaukee?
Use City of Milwaukee Towed Vehicle Search (http://www.findmytowedcar.org/milwaukee). Vehicles towed to the City of Milwaukee Tow Lot. Cars towed from private property may not appear here..
Where is the Milwaukee tow lot?
City of Milwaukee Tow Lot: 3811 West Lincoln Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53215, Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-1pm, Sun closed.
How much does it cost to get a car out of impound in Milwaukee?
For police-ordered tows the city lists a $150 tow and $25 per day of storage. Other fees may apply.
My car was towed from a private lot in Milwaukee. Where is it?
Property owners can hire a licensed private tow contractor, or call 414-286-2489 and ask for parking enforcement help. If your car was towed from private property, it may not show up in the city search. Call the Tow Lot at 414-286-2700 to find out if it went to a privately owned tow lot.
Sources
Last checked Nov 15, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the lot or agency before you go. Spot an error? Tell us.
- Tow Lot, City of Milwaukee. Checked Nov 15, 2026.
- Parking Service Requests, Private Property Parking Violations, City of Milwaukee. Checked Nov 15, 2026.
- Milwaukee Police Department SOP 610 Towing of Vehicles, Milwaukee Police Department. Checked Nov 15, 2026.
- Census Bureau Vintage 2024 city and town population estimates (SUB-EST2024), U.S. Census Bureau. Checked Nov 15, 2026.