Albany County, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- L.L. No. 4-2007, Code Ch. 279
- Storage fee cap
- $20 per day
- Signage height
- 2 ft high, 2-in lettering
- Immobilization devices
- Prohibited countywide
- Enforcing agency
- Division of Weights and Measures
- Misdemeanor fine
- $5,000-$10,000 + up to 1 yr
- Civil penalty
- $1,000-$10,000 per violation
Summary
Albany County Local Law 4-2007 (Code Ch. 279) regulates non-consent towing of vehicles from privately owned, publicly accessible parking lots. Lot owners must post specific warning signage and give tow companies a signed authorization statement; storage fees are capped at $20 per day, kickback deals are banned, and vehicle immobilization devices are prohibited countywide.
The parking lot shall have conspicuously posted, at each entrance of each parking area and/or every 30 parking spaces, signs (at least two feet high with at least two-inch-high lettering), which shall contain the following information: A statement warning that illegally parked vehicles will be towed. The hours during which this prohibition is applicable. The cost of the tow to be paid by the vehicle owner. Name and phone number of the towing company. Location where the vehicle is to be towed. Property owner's name. ... The only additional fee that may be assessed is for storage of the vehicle, which fee shall not exceed $20 per day. Storage fees shall not be charged for days on which the vehicle is not available for pickup from the pertinent tow operator or for days on which the pertinent tow operator is closed. ... The use of immobilization devices on any motorized vehicles is prohibited in the County of Albany or any of its municipalities, whether on public or private property, except when authorized by federal, state or local law enforcement authorities.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4022468; v11 updated 2024-07-21).
Full Breakdown
A(1)). A(2)). B). C(2)(b)). F). G). The chapter does not apply to VTL §1224 abandoned-vehicle removals or to tows by law enforcement (§279-4). Enforcement runs through the Albany County Department of General Services, Division of Weights and Measures, which may adopt implementing rules (§279-5), and the chapter sunsets automatically if the state enacts substantially similar statewide legislation (§279-7).
Violations & Fines
Intentional violation of Chapter 279 or its rules is an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $5,000 to $10,000, up to one year in jail, or both, with each violation a separate offense (§279-6.A). The same conduct also carries a civil penalty of $1,000 to $10,000 per violation (§279-6.B), stacking criminal and civil exposure for non-compliant lot owners and tow operators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a private lot in Albany County boot my car?
How much can a tow company charge to hold my car?
What must a private lot post before towing my car without consent?
Does Chapter 279 cover tows ordered by police?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albany County
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