Towed From A Private Lot
N.J.S.A. 56:13-13 — a contract, a 36 inch sign, and the owner's authorization for that car
In New Jersey, no one may tow a vehicle parked without authorization from a private lot or other private property without its owner or operator's consent unless the tower has a private property towing contract with the property owner, the required sign is posted, the property owner authorized removal of that particular vehicle, and it goes to a secure storage facility within a reasonable distance.
- At all vehicular entrances, no smaller than 36 inches high and 36 inches wide.
- The purposes and times parking is authorized, and that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense.
- The towing company's name, address and telephone number, and the charges for towing and storage.
- The storage facility's street address and the times a vehicle may be redeemed.
Where the section does not reach. It does not apply to a lot with a single-family unit or an owner occupied multi-unit structure of not more than six units, or to a vehicle blocking a driveway or garage entrance.
Hooked but not moved. It is an unlawful practice for a private property towing company to refuse to release a vehicle that has been, or is about to be, hooked or lifted but not yet moved from the property when the owner or operator returns, or to charge an unreasonable or excessive decoupling fee.
- Charging a fee for a service not on the schedule set by regulation, or an unreasonable or excessive fee.
- Refusing a debit, charge or credit card if the operator ordinarily accepts it at its place of business.
- Paying anyone for information about parked vehicles, or patrolling a property to tow without the property owner's specific request.
Reasonable fees. Fees are presumptively unreasonable if they exceed the company's usual fee for a consensual tow by more than 25 percent, or other companies' usual nonconsensual fee in the municipality by more than 50 percent, and the storage facility keeps a business office open between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at least five days a week.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionA tow company can patrol a lot and tow on its own | What the law actually doesSurveilling a property to tow without the owner's specific request is unlawful |
| The assumptionOnce the hook is on, the car goes | What the law actually doesA hooked but unmoved vehicle is released when the owner returns |
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 New Jersey attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- N.J.S.A. 56:13-13 — Consent required for towing from privately owned property; exceptions
- N.J.S.A. 56:13-14 — Schedule of services eligible for charging a fee; reasonable fees
- N.J.S.A. 56:13-15 — Requirements for storage facility used by towing company
- N.J.S.A. 56:13-16 — Unlawful practices, towing company
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New Jersey attorney.