How do I find where my car was towed?

Check your city's official online vehicle search portal (findmytow for Chicago, opglaviic for Los Angeles, or AutoReturn for San Francisco) or call the city 24/7 tow dispatch hotline with your license plate or VIN number.

What documents do I need to retrieve a towed car?

You will need: (1) A valid government photo ID / driver's license, (2) Current DMV registration card or title in your name, (3) Proof of active auto insurance, and (4) Payment for all municipal towing and storage fees.

How much does a street sweeping tow cost?

Tow fees vary by city: Chicago charges $150 + $25/day storage; Los Angeles charges $146.50 + $44.50/day storage; San Francisco charges $575+ tow + $76/day storage.

🚨 MUNICIPAL RECOVERY DIRECTORY

Where Was My Car Towed?

Locate your towed vehicle across official municipal auto pounds in Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Access 24/7 dispatch hotlines, impound lot addresses, fee calculators, and contestation guides.

IL • City of Chicago24/7 DISPATCH

Chicago

City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) & CPD

Standard Tow Fee:$150.00

Daily Storage Rate:$25.00 / day

Auto Pound Facilities:3 Municipal Lots

Search Chicago Impound Lots →📞 Call 24/7 Hotline: (312) 744-4444

CA • City of Los Angeles24/7 DISPATCH

Los Angeles

LADOT & LAPD Official Police Garages (OPG)

Standard Tow Fee:$146.50

Daily Storage Rate:$44.50 / day

Auto Pound Facilities:6 Municipal Lots

Search Los Angeles Impound Lots →📞 Call 24/7 Hotline: (213) 485-4184

CA • City & County of San Francisco24/7 DISPATCH

San Francisco

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) & AutoReturn

Standard Tow Fee:$575.00

Daily Storage Rate:$76.00 / day

Auto Pound Facilities:2 Municipal Lots

Search San Francisco Impound Lots →📞 Call 24/7 Hotline: (415) 865-8200

STEP-BY-STEP RECOVERY

4 Steps to Retrieve Your Impounded Car Fast

Locate Vehicle Online

Enter your license plate or VIN on the official municipal search portal to confirm which lot holds your vehicle.

Gather Required Documents

Bring a valid photo ID, vehicle registration/title, and active proof of insurance. Without these, the lot will not release the car.

Clear Municipal Holds

If your vehicle has delinquent parking tickets or boot judgments, settle fines with the city finance office prior to lot arrival.

Pick Up Within 24 Hours

Daily storage fees compound every 24 hours ($25–$76/day). Retrieve your car as quickly as possible.

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A single municipal tow costs $575 plus a $85 parking citation. For just $24.99 / year (less than $2.08/mo), get automated 8:00 PM text alerts sent directly to your phone the night before street sweeping.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Vehicle Towing

How do I find out if my vehicle was towed or stolen?

Always start by querying the official online vehicle search portal for your city: findmytow.cityofchicago.org for Chicago, opglaviic.com for Los Angeles, or autoreturn.com for San Francisco. If not found in the online database after 2 hours, call the municipal 24/7 tow dispatch hotline or non-emergency police.

Can I dispute a wrongful street sweeping tow?

Yes. Each city provides a statutory right to request an administrative hearing (10 days in LA under CVC § 22852, 15 days in Chicago, and 21 days in SF). Valid defenses include missing or obscured signs, less than 24–72 hours notice, and stolen vehicle reports.