Richmond, VA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Max tow fee
- $135.00 (under 10,000 lbs)
- Off-hours tow surcharge
- up to $25.00 extra
- Max storage fee
- $45.00 per 24-hour period
- First 24 hours storage
- free
- Max drop fee
- $40.00
- Sign minimum size
- 36 in. wide x 30 in. tall
- Penalty
- Class 1 misdemeanor
Summary
Richmond bars charging any towing or storage fee for removing a vehicle from private property without the owner's permission unless the lot posts a compliant sign naming the towing firm and phone number. Towing tops out at $135, storage at $45 per day, with strict caps on drop and after-hours fees.
(a)No fee for the removal, towing, immobilization or storage or of any sort may be charged to the owner of a motor vehicle or trailer which was removed or immobilized from a privately owned parking area or lot at the request of the owner, operator or lessee of the parking area and without the permission of the vehicle's owner, unless signs are posted which meet the criteria in this section. Signs shall be posted at locations clearly visible from the parking area and where they can be read during hours of limited visibility. Signs must contain the following or substantially similar wording: PRIVATE PARKING (Name of owner, lessee or agent of the private property) AUTHORIZED PARKING ONLY TOWING ENFORCED BY (Name of towing firm) CALL (Towing firm telephone number) FOR LOCATION AND INFORMATION CONCERNING RETURN OF VEHICLE Signs must also be at least 36 inches in width and 30 inches in height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Recodification).
Full Breakdown
Richmond City Code § 27-303(a) forbids charging any fee for the removal, towing, immobilization or storage of a vehicle taken from private property at the request of the lot owner, operator or lessee and without the vehicle owner's permission, unless the lot posts a sign meeting the section's specifications. The sign must read 'PRIVATE PARKING,' name the property owner, lessee or agent, state 'AUTHORIZED PARKING ONLY,' name the towing firm and its phone number, and direct callers to that number for the vehicle's location, all in a sign at least 36 inches wide and 30 inches tall with three-inch lettering on the top lines.
Section 27-303(b) further requires any towing company to post the maximum towing, storage and administrative charges, plus the City's consumer-complaint phone number, at its main place of business and any reclaim location; the Chief of Police must publish that complaint number on the City's website. m.
Violations & Fines
Violating either the signage requirements of Section 27-303 or the fee caps of Section 27-302 is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Charging a fee without a compliant sign, or exceeding the posted maximum for towing, storage, drop or administrative charges, exposes the towing company to prosecution under both sections' identical penalty clauses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Richmond lot tow my car without any sign posted?
What is the most a Richmond tow company can charge to tow my car?
Is the first day of storage free after a non-consent tow?
What happens if a towing company overcharges me in Richmond?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richmond
Compare Richmond to another location·View the Virginia business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.