Towed From A Private Lot
A.R.S. 9-499.05 — signs at each entrance, and a signed order from the property owner
In Arizona, the owner of private property is deemed to have consented to unrestricted parking by the general public in any parking area unless it is posted with signs clearly visible and readable from any point within the parking area and at each entrance.
- The restrictions on parking.
- What happens to a vehicle found in violation of them.
- The maximum cost to the violator, including storage fees and any other charges that could result.
- A telephone number and address where the violator can locate the vehicle.
A towing carrier cannot authorize itself. It is unlawful for a private towing carrier to tow a vehicle from private property without the permission of its owner or operator unless the carrier has a request from a law enforcement agency, or the express written permission of a property owner or agent who complied with the sign rule. The owner or agent signs each towing order or authorizes the tow by a written contract valid for a specific length of time, and the carrier may not act as the owner's agent.
The penalty and the rates. Towing in violation of that rule is a class 2 misdemeanor, and a city or town may regulate the maximum rate and charge for towing from private property within its boundaries.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionA lot owner can tow without posting anything | What the law actually doesWithout the signs, the owner is deemed to have consented to unrestricted public parking |
| The assumptionThe tow company decides what to tow | What the law actually doesIt needs a law enforcement request or the property owner's written permission, and cannot act as the owner's agent |
Local ordinances, fee schedules and police ordered impounds are not all on this page. Whether a particular tow was lawful is a question for a licensed Arizona attorney. Abandoned and junk vehicles follow a different chapter.
Sources for this section (1)
- A.R.S. 9-499.05 — Authority to set rates for private towing carrier; notice of parking violations; violation; classification
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Arizona attorney.