Yes, a business, apartment complex, or HOA lot in Corpus Christi can have your car towed without asking you first, but only if the lot has a compliant sign posted and the tow company follows Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308. State law caps what they can charge you: $272 for a standard car up to 10,000 lbs, and you have 14 days to challenge the tow in court if something about it looks wrong.
That’s a different situation than a police-ordered impound, and it comes with a different set of rules, fees, and a lot you probably haven’t heard of before today.
What makes a nonconsent tow legal
A property owner in Texas can have an unauthorized vehicle towed from a private lot without contacting you first, as long as a few conditions are met.
The lot has to be signed correctly. State law requires a sign at each space or posted clearly around the lot, showing the international towing symbol, the words “Unauthorized Vehicle Will Be Towed at Owner or Operator’s Expense,” and the towing company’s name and phone number. The sign has to be easily visible. No sign, or a sign missing that information, is grounds to challenge the tow.
The company has to be licensed. Every nonconsent tow operator in Texas needs a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation license and a registered vehicle storage facility to hold your car. Both numbers should show up on your tow ticket.
You get an itemized ticket. The tow company has to give you a receipt listing every charge in the exact language from their filed fee schedule. If a line item looks made up, ask for the schedule it’s supposedly pulled from.
If you’re renting an apartment, check your lease. Parking rules, including which spaces are reserved and what counts as blocking a fire lane or dumpster access, have to be disclosed there, either in the lease itself or as a separate document you signed.
What it can legally cost you
Texas sets maximum fees for nonconsent tows statewide, adjusted for inflation in 2023. A Corpus Christi lot can charge up to these amounts and no more:
| Vehicle class | Tow fee cap | Drop fee cap |
|---|---|---|
| Light-duty, up to 10,000 lbs (most cars, SUVs, pickups) | $272 | $135 |
| Medium-duty, 10,001–25,000 lbs | $380 | $190 |
| Heavy-duty, over 25,000 lbs | $489 per unit, $978 max | $244 |
On top of that, daily storage tops out at $22.85 a day for a vehicle 25 feet or shorter, and $39.99 a day for anything longer. A notification fee, if the facility has to track down your address, caps at $50, and an impoundment fee caps at $20. The facility has to take cash, debit, or credit. If a receipt shows more than these numbers, that’s your first flag for a hearing.
Your right to stop it before it leaves the lot
Texas gives you a real window to keep the tow from happening at all.
If the truck hasn’t fully hooked your car up yet, meaning it isn’t lifted with the tow lights and safety chains attached, you owe nothing. Walk up, show you’re the owner, and drive away.
If it’s already fully hooked but still sitting in the lot, you can pay the drop fee instead of the full tow charge, capped at $135 for a standard car. Once the truck crosses onto a public street, that window closes and you’re paying the full tow and storage fees to get your car back.
Finding your car and getting it back
Start with the sign posted at the lot. By law, it has to list the towing company’s name and phone number, so that’s your fastest lead. Call with your license plate ready.
If there’s no sign, or you can’t find one, ask the property manager or business which company they use. Every tow ticket also has to show the company’s license number, which you can verify through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation if something feels off.
You’re entitled to get personal property out of the car, including car seats, medication, and identification, without paying to release the whole vehicle. If the facility runs 24/7, you get 24/7 access. Otherwise, access is guaranteed within an hour during posted hours, generally 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
How to dispute a tow that feels wrong
If you think the tow was illegal, the fees were inflated, or the signage didn’t meet the legal bar, you can request a tow hearing. (For lots that want to do it right, our private property towing page covers compliant signage and dispatch.)
File with the Justice of the Peace court in the precinct where the tow happened, within 14 days of the tow. The filing fee is $20, and the court has to hold the hearing within 21 days of your request. You can also file a complaint directly with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at tdlr.texas.gov/Complaints or by calling (800) 803-9202.
Bring your tow ticket, any photos of the lot and signage, and your lease if the tow happened at your own apartment complex.
This isn’t the same as a police impound
A nonconsent tow from a private lot goes to a licensed vehicle storage facility, not the CCPD Police Auto Pound. If your car was towed by an officer, for something like a DWI arrest, an expired registration stop, or being flagged abandoned, the process, location, and fees are different. See our guide on how to get your car out of police impound in Corpus Christi if that’s your situation instead.
For what a normal, consensual tow costs when you call a company yourself, see our Corpus Christi tow cost guide.
What Quick Tow Corpus Christi can do
We can’t undo a nonconsent tow or negotiate with the lot’s contracted company on your behalf. But once you have your car back, or if you’re stuck without a ride after retrieving it, we’re a towing company near you in Corpus Christi that dispatches emergency tows around the clock. Call (361) 967-8088 for a straight-up quote before we roll, no surprise fees added at the lot.
Frequently asked questions
Can an apartment complex tow my car without warning in Texas?
Yes, if the lot has a compliant sign posted under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308 and you’re violating a parking rule disclosed in your lease, like blocking a fire lane or parking in someone else’s assigned space. If there’s no visible sign meeting the state’s requirements, the tow may not be legal, and you can request a hearing.
How much can a nonconsent tow legally cost in Corpus Christi?
State law caps it at $272 for a standard car up to 10,000 lbs, $380 for medium-duty vehicles, and up to $978 for heavy-duty. Daily storage tops out at $22.85 for vehicles 25 feet or shorter. If a facility quotes more than that, ask for the itemized tow ticket and compare it against the posted caps.
Can I stop the tow before the truck leaves the lot?
Yes. If your vehicle isn’t fully hooked up yet, you owe nothing. If it’s fully hooked but still on the lot, you can pay the drop fee instead of the full tow charge, capped at $135 for a standard car. Once the truck reaches a public street, that option is gone.
How do I find out where my car was towed from private property?
Check the sign posted at the lot. By law it must list the towing company’s name and phone number. Call that number with your plate number ready. If there’s no sign, ask the property manager or business which company they contract with.
How do I dispute a tow I think was illegal?
File for a tow hearing in the Justice of the Peace court for the precinct where the tow happened, within 14 days. The filing fee is $20, and the court has to hold the hearing within 21 days. You can also file a complaint with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Is this the same as a police impound?
No. A nonconsent tow from a private lot goes to a licensed vehicle storage facility, not the CCPD Police Auto Pound. If your car was actually impounded by an officer, the process and fees are different. See our guide to getting a car out of Corpus Christi police impound.