Car towed in Philadelphia? PPA impound lots, fees and lookup
Checked Nov 14, 2026 against official sources. We don't have your car: use the official lookup below.
Find your car
PPA tows and impounds. PPA confirms where the car was taken and what you need to reclaim it2
Other ways to check:
- FindMyTowedCar (linked by PPA): PPA tows, as linked from the PPA Booted and Towed Vehicles page2
- Autura (formerly AutoReturn) Philadelphia: Crash and disabled-vehicle tows dispatched through the City's rotational towing program45
- Philadelphia Police 911 · 911: Rotational crash tows when the car cannot be found through AutoReturn, per the City FAQ5
Towed from a private lot (apartment, store)? Only towing companies licensed by the City may tow from private lots, private property or driveways, and a posted sign is required. The car must first be ticketed by police for parking on private property or blocking a driveway, and the tow company must report the tow. The City's code summary caps private-lot tows at $175 plus $25 per 24 hours of storage for cars under 11,000 lbs.
Deadline to contest: 30 calendar days from the notice (Pennsylvania rules). How to request a hearing
Cars towed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority for tow-zone parking or unpaid tickets go to PPA impound Lot 10 in South Philadelphia or Lot 6 in Bridesburg. Cars towed after a crash go through the City's rotational towing program run by Autura (formerly AutoReturn), and private-lot tows go to the licensed tow company named on the posted sign.
Philadelphia PPA impound lots: addresses and hours
PPA Impound Lot 10
City impound · run by Philadelphia Parking Authority
6 E. Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 1914823
Hours: Mon-Thu 7:00am-9:30pm, Fri 7:00am-3:00am, Sat 9:00am-3:00am, Sun 10:00am-8:00pm
PPA Impound Lot 6
City impound · run by Philadelphia Parking Authority
4701 Bath Street, Philadelphia, PA 1913723
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00am-9:30pm, Sat 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 4:00pm-8:00pm
Philadelphia snow emergency towing
Snow Emergency (Snow Emergency Routes). The Mayor declares a snow emergency when a winter storm is expected to make travel dangerous, and the city announces start and end times in news releases. Residents can get alerts from ReadyPhiladelphia by texting READYPHILA to 888-777.789
Is it in effect? Check the city page
- There are 110 miles of snow emergency routes.
- Routes are marked with large red signs that read "Snow Emergency Route" in white letters.
- Cars that cannot move under their own power are not exempt.
- PPA has offered a flat $5 24-hour rate at some Center City garages during snow emergencies.
- The rules are in Philadelphia Code chapter 12-2500.
Where the car goes: Cars left on snow emergency routes are ticketed and moved to other parking spots so plows can get through. The Philadelphia Parking Authority enforces the routes.
How to find it: Call the city's Snow Emergency line at (215) 686-SNOW (7669) and press option 4, or visit philapark.org/tow. Do not call 911.
How much it costs to get your car out in Philadelphia
| Fee | Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| PPA straight tow, under 11,000 lbs2 | $175 | Police-ordered · Cars, SUVs, pickups |
Live Stop tow, under 11,000 lbs2DetailsLive Stop tow charge replaces the straight tow charge. Live Stop tows are $300 for 11,000-17,000 lbs and $410 for over 17,000 lbs. | $225 | Police-ordered · Cars, SUVs, pickups |
| PPA storage, under 11,000 lbs2Per 24 hours, plus 22.5% tax. | $25 / day | Police-ordered · Cars, SUVs, pickups |
| PPA boot removal2Not eligible for a payment plan. Outstanding tickets must also be paid or put on a plan. | $150 | Police-ordered |
| PPA release or admin fee2PPA pages list no separate admin fee beyond tow, storage and tickets. | Not verified | Police-ordered |
Rotational crash tow, under 11,000 lbs (maximum total towing fee)56DetailsNo other towing charges may be added. Caps are $290 for 11,000-17,000 lbs and $400 for over 17,000 lbs. | Up to $215 | Crash scene · Cars, SUVs, pickups |
| Rotational crash tow storage, under 11,000 lbs (maximum)56Partial days are prorated. Caps are $40 for 11,000-17,000 lbs and $75 for over 17,000 lbs. | Up to $25 / day | Crash scene · Cars, SUVs, pickups |
Private-lot tow, under 11,000 lbs (maximum)6DetailsFrom the City's code summary last revised September 2018. Caps are $250 for 11,000-17,000 lbs and $360 for 17,000 lbs and up. | Up to $175 | Private lot (apartment, store) · Cars, SUVs, pickups |
| Private-lot tow storage, under 11,000 lbs (maximum)6Partial days are prorated. From the City's code summary last revised September 2018. | Up to $25 / day | Private lot (apartment, store) · Cars, SUVs, pickups |
Trucks and heavy vehicles (4 fees)
| Fee | Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| PPA straight tow, 11,000-17,000 lbs2 | $250 | Police-ordered · Medium trucks |
| PPA straight tow, over 17,000 lbs2 | $360 | Police-ordered · Heavy trucks |
PPA storage, 11,000-17,000 lbs2DetailsPer 24 hours, plus 22.5% tax. | $40 / day | Police-ordered · Medium trucks |
PPA storage, over 17,000 lbs2DetailsPer 24 hours, plus 22.5% tax. | $75 / day | Police-ordered · Heavy trucks |
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
- Current vehicle registration
- Proof of current insurance for the vehicle
- Cashier's receipt(s) with the BAA/PVB Release Authorization
- Release authorization from Philadelphia Traffic Court (Live Stop impounds only)
More detail, including when the car is not in your name: what to bring to the impound lot.
Local rules and how to contest
- To reclaim a PPA tow, pay the tow and storage fees in full and pay all outstanding tickets or enroll them in a payment plan, at 800 Arch Street, at the lots, online or by phone at 1-888-591-3636.
- To set up a payment plan or dispute tickets and fees, go to the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication, 48 N. 8th Street, for an expedited hearing (weekdays 8:00am-4:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm). The registered owner must appear.
- Unclaimed vehicles are sold at online public auction after 21 days.
- Cars impounded through Live Stop must also clear tickets at the Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division, 800 Spring Garden Street.
- A booted car is not charged a tow fee until 72 hours after booting. After the boot is released the car must be moved within two hours.
- After a crash where police are dispatched, only a tow truck dispatched through the City's rotational program may tow the car, and it must take the car anywhere in the city you choose.
- If your car was stolen, the City code limits towing and recovery charges to $105, which includes the City's $15 administrative fee.
Pennsylvania rules that apply
Pennsylvania has no statewide cap on the tow itself. A property owner may remove a car from a posted lot at the owner's reasonable expense, cities and towns may set rates by ordinance, and where the town has not set storage charges, storage is capped at $25 a day. Philadelphia caps private-lot tows at $175 plus $25 a day and requires a police ticket and photos before the tow, while state law gives extra rules for crash tows and a 30-day notice and hearing process for abandoned vehicles.
- Drop fee release: No Pennsylvania law requires a tower to release your car for a drop fee if you return before it is towed away. Philadelphia's towing code summary has no drop-fee rule either, and it bans any charges beyond its tow and storage caps.
- Your belongings: No state law lets you take belongings out of a towed car without paying. For a car processed as abandoned, the notice says you may reclaim the car and its contents within 30 days after paying the charges, and unclaimed contents can be disposed of with the car.
- Hearing: There is no statewide hearing for private-lot tows. If your car is processed as abandoned, you have 30 days from the mailing of the notice to ask for a hearing before a civilian municipal officer, and if the car is found not abandoned you can take it within 48 hours without paying the fees. In Philadelphia, Parking Authority tows and their fees are disputed at the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication.
Think the tow was wrong?
Questions
How do I find my towed car in Philadelphia?
Use PPA towed vehicle line or call 888-591-3636. PPA tows and impounds. PPA confirms where the car was taken and what you need to reclaim it.
Where is the Philadelphia PPA impound lot?
PPA Impound Lot 10: 6 E. Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, Mon-Thu 7:00am-9:30pm, Fri 7:00am-3:00am, Sat 9:00am-3:00am, Sun 10:00am-8:00pm. PPA Impound Lot 6: 4701 Bath Street, Philadelphia, PA 19137, Mon-Fri 8:00am-9:30pm, Sat 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 4:00pm-8:00pm.
How much does it cost to get a car out of impound in Philadelphia?
For police-ordered tows the city lists a $175 tow and $25 per day of storage. Other fees may apply.
My car was towed from a private lot in Philadelphia. Where is it?
Only towing companies licensed by the City may tow from private lots, private property or driveways, and a posted sign is required. The car must first be ticketed by police for parking on private property or blocking a driveway, and the tow company must report the tow. The City's code summary caps private-lot tows at $175 plus $25 per 24 hours of storage for cars under 11,000 lbs.
Sources
Last checked Nov 14, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the lot or agency before you go. Spot an error? Tell us.
- Census Bureau Vintage 2024 city and town population estimates (SUB-EST2024), U.S. Census Bureau. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Booted and Towed Vehicles, Philadelphia Parking Authority. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Impounded Vehicles, Philadelphia Parking Authority. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Philadelphia's rotational towing program, City of Philadelphia. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Philadelphia Rotational Tow System FAQ for Consumers, City of Philadelphia. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Summary of The Philadelphia Code Provisions Governing Towing Activity (rev. September 20, 2018) (Phila. Code § 9-605), City of Philadelphia. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Snow emergency routes, City of Philadelphia Streets Department. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- City declares Snow Emergency for February 22 storm, City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Updates on January 24th Snow Emergency, City of Philadelphia. Checked Nov 14, 2026.