Arlington County, VA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Chapter 14.3 governs the immobilization, removal, towing and storage of vehicles towed without the owner's consent from private property in Arlington County, what the County Board calls 'trespass towing' in § 14.3-1, adopted to curb unfair and predatory towing and pricing practices and inadequate notice. Section 14.3-3 applies the chapter to trespass tows and their fees but exempts tows the County itself contracts for, tows requested by the vehicle's owner or a creditor repossessing it, and tows from a single-family or two-family residential parcel. Before a property owner can have a trespassing vehicle towed, § 14.3-4.A requires signs at every vehicle entrance at least 12 by 18 inches, printed with 'towing at owner's expense' lettering at least 3 inches tall, a tow-truck pictogram at least 2 inches tall, the hours towing is enforced, the towing operator's 24-hour phone number, the County Police non-emergency number, and the property's name or address.

Section 14.3-9.B caps the towing fee at $160 for a vehicle rated 7,500 pounds or less, $250 for 7,501 to 10,000 pounds, and $500 above 10,000 pounds, plus up to $30 extra, capped at two charges, for a tow between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. or on a weekend or holiday. Storage is capped at $50 per 24-hour period, with the first 24 hours free, and § 14.3-9.B.6 voids the entire fee, towing and storage alike, if the operator fails to meet any of the chapter's requirements.

An owner who arrives before the vehicle leaves the property may reclaim it for an 'in lieu of towing' fee capped at $20 under § 14.3-9.E. Section 14.3-12 requires every towing and recovery operator to hold a County locality permit, and § 14.3-13 lets an operator appeal a permit denial, suspension or revocation to the County Board within 30 days.