TRESPASS TOWING

The Office of Consumer Affairs is responsible for licensing companies that tow vehicles from private property without the permission of the owner of the vehicle. This law is called Trespass Tow Law. It requires that the tow service companies register with the Office and abide by the provisions of Section 17.600 - 17.611 of the Howard County Code.

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HOWARD COUNTY TRESPASS TOW REQUIREMENTS

Among other things, the Howard County Trespass Tow Law requires the following:

1. The tow service must be registered with the Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) before any trespass towing can be performed in Howard County.

2. The tow service must have a signed contract with the manager of the property from which vehicles can be towed;

3. The tow service and/or property manager must post signs on the property warning the public that unauthorized vehicles can be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense, the name and telephone number of the towing company. Warning signs must conform to size, location and content requirements of the County Code.

4. Vehicles with valid handicapped license plates or properly displayed disabled person’s parking permits may not be towed from private property without the vehicle owners’ consent unless: the tow is authorized by a police, fire or rescue officer, or the vehicle is blocking a clearly marked fire lane or access to another vehicle, property or building.

5. If the owner of a vehicle returns after the vehicle has been attached to the tow truck but before it is towed, s/he may ask the company to release the vehicle. The company must comply but may charge a release fee up to the amount specified in the County’s fee schedule.

6. The tow service must obtain the authorization of the property owner or manager prior to towing any vehicles from the property. An unauthorized vehicle may be towed without the express authorization of the property manager ONLY if it is directly blocking a clearly marked fire lane or access to property or a building on the property.

7. The tow service shall write a receipt for each vehicle towed that includes the:

   • Address from which the vehicle was towed;
   • Date and time of tow;

   • Make, model, color, and year of the vehicle;

   • VIN and tags number;

   • Reason for the tow;

   • Name and signature of the tow operator;

   • Name and signature of the person authorizing the tow;

   • Name and phone number of the Office of Consumer Affairs.

8. A legible copy of the receipt must be securely attached to the vehicle in a conspicuous place.

9. The tow service must notify the Howard County Police and Office of Consumer Affairs of the tow within one hour of leaving the property and provide the following information:

   • Make, model, year and color of the vehicle;

   • VIN and tag numbers of the vehicle;

   • Address from which the vehicle was towed;

   • Time of the tow;

   • Address of the storage site where the vehicle will be stored.

   In the event that a vehicle is not reported to OCA within 24- hours, storage fees may not be charged for the period prior to reporting.

10. The facility must be open for redemption of towed vehicles until 5 p.m. or two (2) hours after the completion of the last tow, whichever is later.

11. The tow company’s rates (which cannot exceed those listed in the County’s fee schedule) must be prominently displayed along with a sign that summarizes the vehicle owner’s rights and contains the telephone number of the Office of Consumer Affairs.

    To Obtain An Application for Trespass Towing, click here.

    Towing Registration Fee and County Fee Schedule

    ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE FOR TOWING COMPANIES................$150.00

    The following schedule applies to the towing of motors vehicles from private property without the consent of the vehicle owners, pursuant to Subtitle 6 “Motor Vehicle Towing from Private Property” of Title 17 of the Howard County Code. No fees may be charged for any service that is not listed below unless specifically requested by vehicle owner.

    FEE SCHEDULE

    Office of Consumer Affairs
    6751 Columbia Gateway Dr.
    Box 220
    Columbia, MD 21046
    410-313-6420

    consumer@howardcountymd.gov

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