Cars & light trucks · Texas
Towing in Houston: the local card
The local layer sits on top of the state layer — where the city or county publishes a lower number, the lower number is the operative maximum.
Rules checked October 2026
Houston Code of Ordinances §8-123; HPD Motorist Bill of Rights
| Charge | Published maximum |
|---|---|
| Maximum tow charge | $232.00 |
City-regulated nonconsent rate: $232 for the first 20 miles, then $4.64/mile, effective January 1, 2026. The city card sits BELOW the Texas ceiling — the lower number is the operative maximum. Cash or card; the yard must accept two of the four major cards.
The state layer
This state publishes a statewide maximum card — the numbers below are the operative maximums. Full state page: towing in Texas.
Who takes the complaint
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).