AUSTIN, Texas — SXSW traffic may be worse than ever this year, so the Austin Police Department is urging residents and visitors to use caution when navigating the city.
APD wanted to remind you if you park on private property, be aware of towing signs placed at entrances and exits. State law requires signs be posted at those spots, but not necessarily in front of the parking area.
APD also said Vehicle Immobilization Devices (boots) are used at many downtown parking lots and garages. Immobilization companies must be licensed by the city's Transportation Services and Austin Police Wrecker Unit, and appropriate signs must be posted at the entrances and exits informing drivers that booting may occur. Immobilization services personnel must also conspicuously wear or display permits while putting boots on vehicles.
Immobilization personnel must remove a boot from your vehicle, in exchange for the $100 vehicle immobilization fee, not later than one hour after the time you request its removal. If the boot isn't removed in that timeframe, personnel must waive the amount of the fee for the boot's removal, excluding any associated parking fees.
If the boot's removal is requested before the boot is completely installed and a conspicuous notice is placed on the front windshield or driver's side window of the vehicle, the boot must be removed without charge.
In addition to the vehicle immobilization fee, the immobilization operator may also collect any outstanding parking lot fees from you on behalf of the parking lot or garage owner.
APD also wants to remind you that you should be mindful of designated loading and unloading zones and other tow-away zones.
If your vehicle is in the process of being towed and is fully prepared for transport, but hasn't left the property where it was parked, the tow truck operator must offer and accept a $50 drop fee.
If your vehicle is towed, the amount that a towing company can charge is $150 plus a $25 administration fee for every dispatched tow call that is generated. Once your vehicle reaches the Vehicle Storage Facility, there's an extra $20 impound fee and a $20 storage fee. After the first 24 hours, the tow company can charge an additional $50 for a notification fee.
If you wish to contest the impoundment of your vehicle, you must request a tow hearing within 14 days of the towing. Tow hearings may be conducted by any Justice of the Peace Court in the county where the tow occurred.
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If you think your vehicle has been towed illegally within the City of Austin, call 3-1-1 to file a Wrecker Ordinance Violation, then email Wrecker.Enforcement@austintexas.gov with the case number 3-1-1 provides you, in addition to details about what occurred.
You can find general information about towing fees in the City of Austin below. For more information about towing, click here. If your car has been towed and you need to found out where it was taken, click here.
General information about towing fees, provided by APD. NOTE: The City of Austin only regulates non-consent towing fees.
- Regular non-consent tow for vehicles under 10,001 lbs: $150
- Regular non-consent tow for vehicles 10,001 – 25,999: $400
- Regular non-consent tow for vehicles 26,000+: $800
- There is no longer a private property on site fee (example: a tow truck is backed up to vehicle, but hasn't started prepping to impound vehicle): $0
- The private property tow truck is fully prepared for transport and still on site: $50
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