IL • City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) & CPD
Where Was My Car Towed in Chicago?
Official guide to locating and retrieving towed vehicles from City of Chicago Auto Pounds. Check lot locations, 24/7 hotlines, current DSS towing and daily storage fees, and administrative hearing contestation rules.
Standard Tow Rate
$150.00
Passenger vehicles
Daily Storage Fee
$25.00
Assessed per 24 hours
Sweeping Citation
$75.00
City parking ticket
Dispute Deadline
15 Days
Administrative hearing
Chicago Municipal Auto Pound Facilities
Search by ward or neighborhood to locate the designated impound lot holding your vehicle.
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Quick Filter by Area / Division:
Auto Pound #1 (Sacramento)
24/7 OPEN📍
701 N Sacramento Blvd, Chicago, IL 60624
🕒Open 24 Hours / 7 Days a Week / 365 Days a Year
🚇Accessible via CTA Green Line (California station) and #66 Chicago Ave bus.
Primary Service Areas / Wards
Ward 1 (Logan Square / Wicker Park)Ward 26 (Humboldt Park)Ward 30 (Belmont Cragin)Ward 31 (Hermosa)Ward 32 (Bucktown / Roscoe Village)Ward 33 (Avondale / Albany Park)Ward 35 (Logan Square / Irving Park)Ward 36 (Montclare)Ward 40 (Lincoln Square / Edgewater)Ward 47 (Lincoln Park / Lakeview)Ward 49 (Rogers Park)Ward 50 (West Ridge)
Accepted Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
Auto Pound #2 (Doty)
24/7 OPEN📍
10301 S Doty Ave, Chicago, IL 60628
🕒Open 24 Hours / 7 Days a Week / 365 Days a Year
🚇Accessible via ME Metra Electric line (103rd St - Beverly Hills or Pullman station) and #28 Stony Island bus.
Primary Service Areas / Wards
Ward 4 (Kenwood / Bronzeville)Ward 5 (Hyde Park / Woodlawn)Ward 6 (Chatham / Englewood)Ward 7 (South Shore)Ward 8 (Avalon Park)Ward 9 (Pullman / Roseland)Ward 10 (East Side / Hegewisch)Ward 20 (Washington Park)Ward 21 (Auburn Gresham)
Accepted Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
Auto Pound #6 (Lower Wacker / South Water)
24/7 OPEN📍
400 E Lower Wacker Dr / 500 E South Water St, Chicago, IL 60601
🕒Open 24 Hours / 7 Days a Week / 365 Days a Year
🚇Located below street level in the Loop. Accessible from Michigan Ave or Columbus Dr stairs; near State/Lake CTA Station.
Primary Service Areas / Wards
Ward 2 (Downtown / Streeterville / Gold Coast)Ward 42 (The Loop / River North / Magnificent Mile)Ward 27 (West Loop / Fulton Market)Ward 25 (Pilsen / Chinatown / South Loop)
Accepted Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
COST ESTIMATOR
Chicago Tow & Impound Fee Calculator
Estimate your exact vehicle release costs based on municipal tow rates and daily storage accrual in Chicago.
1 day
0 days (Pickup same day)7 days14 days
Vehicle & Violation Options
Estimated Municipal Fee Breakdown
Base Municipal Tow Fee (Standard Passenger)$150.00
Daily Storage Fee (1 day @ $25.00/day)$25.00
Municipal Street Cleaning Parking Citation$75.00
Total Estimated Release Cost:$250.00
⚠️Storage charges compound every 24 hours. Retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible to avoid increasing fees.
WHAT TO BRING
Required Documents Checklist for Vehicle Release
Bring all required items to the Chicago impound lot counter to avoid being turned away.
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Valid Government-Issued Photo ID (Mandatory)
Driver's license, state ID card, military ID, or valid passport.
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Proof of Ownership / Vehicle Registration (Mandatory)
Current state vehicle registration certificate, vehicle title in your name, or a valid Bill of Sale (within 30 days) accompanied by the endorsed title.
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Valid Proof of Auto Insurance (Mandatory)
Active auto insurance card or valid electronic insurance policy on smartphone meeting Illinois state requirements.
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Payment for Tow & Daily Storage Fees (Mandatory)
Cash or major credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex). Personal checks are NOT accepted at City pounds.
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Clearance of Outstanding Municipal Holds
If your vehicle was booted or placed on administrative hold for unpaid Chicago parking or red-light tickets, full payment or a payment plan agreement with the Dept of Finance is required prior to release.
LEGAL CONTESTATION GUIDE
How to Contest a Wrongful Tow in Chicago
You have a statutory right to an administrative hearing to challenge improper towing and request a full fee refund.
Administrative Hearing Process (15-Day Deadline):
- Request an administrative hearing in person at 400 W Superior St or submit an online hearing request via Chicago.gov within 15 calendar days of vehicle release.
- Pay the impound and tow fees under protest to retrieve your vehicle immediately to stop daily storage accrual.
- Gather photographic evidence of the parking spot, missing signage, time-stamped photos, or police reports.
- Present your evidence to the Administrative Law Officer. If ruled in your favor, the City of Chicago issues a full refund of towing and storage fees.
Hearing Agency: City of Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings (400 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60654)
Recognized Grounds for Fee Reversal:
- Temporary street sweeping or emergency no-parking signs were posted less than 24 hours in advance.
- Sweeping restriction signs were obstructed, defaced, or completely missing from the block.
- Official City holiday exemption was in effect on the date of the tow.
- The vehicle had broken down and was awaiting private towing (with documented police dispatch or roadside service receipt).
- Vehicle was reported stolen prior to the time of towing (certified police report required).
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Frequently Asked Questions: Chicago Towing
How do I know if my car was towed or stolen in Chicago?
Check the City of Chicago Find My Tow database (findmytow.cityofchicago.org) or call 311 / (312) 744-4444. You will need your license plate number, state of registration, or last 6 digits of your VIN.
How much does a Chicago street cleaning tow cost?
A standard passenger car tow is $150.00, plus a $75.00 street cleaning parking ticket, and $25.00 per day in storage after the first 24 hours. The minimum total to retrieve your car on day one is $225.00 ($150 tow + $75 ticket).
Can someone else pick up my towed car for me?
Yes, but they must present: (1) A signed and notarized Owner Authorization Letter, (2) A copy of the owner's photo ID, (3) The vehicle's valid registration/title, and (4) The representative's own valid driver's license.