Towed From A Private Lot
Fla. Stat. 715.07 — the tow-away zone sign, half the posted rate before it leaves, and release on request
In Florida, the owner or lessee of real property may have a vehicle parked without permission removed by a towing business, subject to substantial compliance with the conditions in the section. Outside property that is obviously part of a single-family residence, and outside notice given personally to the owner or person in control of the vehicle, a notice is posted before any tow.
- At each driveway access or curb cut, within 10 feet from the road.
- Light-reflective letters not fewer than 2 inches high saying unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense, with the words "tow-away zone" in letters not fewer than 4 inches high.
- The name and current telephone number of the towing firm.
- Permanently installed, and maintained on the property for not fewer than 24 hours before any tow.
A tow in progress stops. A person towing a vehicle stops when someone seeks its return, and returns it on payment of a reasonable service fee of not more than one-half of the posted rate. If the owner is unable to pay after a reasonable opportunity, the vehicle may be towed.
Released within 1 hour, with a right to inspect. A towed vehicle is released within 1 hour after it is requested. The owner may inspect it before accepting it, and no release or waiver of liability for damage noted at redemption may be required as a condition of getting it back. A detailed receipt is given at payment, whether requested or not.
Where it goes. Storage is within a 10-mile radius in a county of 500,000 or more, and a 15-mile radius in a smaller county, at a site open for redemption on any day the tower is towing. The tower notifies the police or the sheriff within 30 minutes after the tow.
An improper tow. A person who improperly causes a vehicle to be removed is liable for the cost of removal, transportation and storage, any damages, attorney's fees and court costs.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionOnce the truck shows up, the car is gone | What the law actually doesA tow in progress stops for no more than one-half of the posted rate |
| The assumptionGetting the car back means signing a waiver | What the law actually doesNo release or waiver for noted damage may be required as a condition of release |
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 Florida attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Fla. Stat. 715.07 — Vehicles or vessels parked on private property; towing
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.