Towing Rights in Utah:
What Every Driver Needs to Know

Getting towed — especially without your knowledge — is one of the most stressful experiences a driver can have. Utah has specific laws governing what tow companies can and cannot do, what fees they can charge, and what recourse you have if you believe you've been wrongfully towed or overcharged. Here's a practical guide to your rights as a Utah driver.

Two Types of Tows: Consent vs. Non-Consent

Consent Tows

A consent tow is one you requested. You called the company, you agreed to the price, and you authorized the tow. For consent tows, the rules are primarily about price transparency — companies must tell you the rate before they hook up.

Non-Consent (Involuntary) Tows

A non-consent tow happens without your presence or agreement — the most common examples:

• Your car was towed from a private parking lot
• Salt Lake City (or another municipality) towed your car for a parking violation
• Law enforcement ordered your car towed from a crime scene or accident
• Your car was on public property and deemed abandoned

Non-consent tows are more heavily regulated under Utah law because the vehicle owner has less power in the transaction.

Utah Non-Consent Towing Laws (Key Provisions)

Utah Code Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 14 governs non-consent towing. Here are the most important provisions:

Notification Requirements

When a tow company takes your vehicle under a non-consent order, they are required to notify:

• The local law enforcement agency within 30 minutes of completing the tow
• The registered vehicle owner (if identifiable) within 24 hours by mail or other verifiable means

This notification requirement is why, when you call Salt Lake City Police to report your car missing, they can often tell you immediately whether it was towed and by whom.

Your Right to Release Before the Tow Completes

Under Utah law, if you arrive at your vehicle before it has been lifted off the ground and moved, the tow company must release it to you. You may be charged a "hook fee" (typically $50–$75) for having been dispatched, but they cannot hold your car if you've arrived in time.

This is called a "drop fee" situation. Once the truck has moved your car — even partially off the property — they can charge the full tow fee.

Maximum Rates for Non-Consent Tows

Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County set maximum rates for non-consent tows within their jurisdiction. These are updated periodically. As of 2026, non-consent tow maximums in the your area run approximately:

• Basic passenger vehicle tow: $175–$225
• Storage fees: $35–$50/day
• Gate fee (retrieval after hours): $35–$75

A company that charges significantly above these amounts on a municipal tow may be in violation of local rate schedules. Always request an itemized receipt.

Signage Requirements for Private Lot Towing

Private property owners can have vehicles towed from their lots — but Utah law requires that signage be clearly posted. The sign must include:

• Notice that unauthorized vehicles will be towed
• The name and phone number of the towing company
• The name and phone number of the property owner or manager
• Sign must be visible at all entrances and at least 17×22 inches in size

If the signage was not properly posted, you may have grounds to dispute the tow and recover fees.

Finding Your Towed Car in your area

If you return to find your car missing in Salt Lake City, follow these steps:

1. Call SLC Police non-emergency: (801) 799-3000 — They log all impound notifications. Tell them where you parked and your license plate number. They can tell you if it was towed or stolen.
2. Check the Salt Lake City impound lot — The city contracts with specific tow companies for municipal impounds. The police dispatcher can give you the current impound operator's number.
3. Check the DMV — For abandoned vehicle tows, the DMV may have records.

Getting Your Car Back: What to Bring

To retrieve an impounded vehicle in Utah, you'll typically need:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Proof of vehicle ownership (title or registration)
• Valid auto insurance
• Cash or credit card for the fees
• If applicable: payment for outstanding parking citations (some lots require these to be cleared)

If you are not the registered owner, you'll need a notarized letter of authorization from the owner, plus their ID and the above documents. This often takes longer and may require a phone call from the owner.

Your Rights When Disputing a Tow

Request an Itemized Invoice

You have the right to request an itemized invoice for any tow. The company must be able to show you exactly what each charge is for. If they can't or won't itemize, that's a red flag.

Dispute Unauthorized or Overcharged Tows

If you believe you were wrongfully towed or overcharged, your options are:

• File a complaint with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection — (801) 530-6601 or consumerprotection.utah.gov
• File a complaint with Salt Lake City — The city has authority over companies with municipal tow contracts
• Small claims court — For disputes under $11,000, Utah small claims court is an accessible option. You don't need an attorney. Filing fee is about $60.
• Contact the Utah Attorney General's Office — For systemic or egregious violations

Do Not Refuse to Pay and Leave

Even if you believe the tow was wrongful, do not leave without paying and then dispute later. In most cases, failure to pay impound fees can result in additional storage charges that accrue daily. Pay to retrieve your car, get an itemized receipt, and then dispute the charges through proper channels.

Red Flags: Tow Companies to Avoid

Predatory towing practices do exist. Watch for these signs:

• Refusing to give a price estimate before hooking up
• Charging "administrative fees," "fuel surcharges," or other vague add-ons not disclosed upfront
• Claiming cash only (this can be a sign of unlicensed or tax-evasion operations)
• Being unable to name a specific storage facility when you call to retrieve your car
• Charging storage fees before the legally required notification period has elapsed

How to Vet a Tow Company Before You Need One

The best time to check a tow company's reputation is before you're standing on the side of the road at midnight. Look for:

• Utah Motor Vehicle Division tow truck operating authority (required for all operators)
• Active listing on the SLC impound contracted operator list (indicates municipal compliance)
• 3.5+ stars across Google, Yelp, and BBB with consistent pricing transparency reviews
• Clear written pricing on their website