Cars & light trucks
Towing in California: the published maximums and your rights
This state's cap is comparative: the lawful charge is measured against an official rate, not a single published number.
Rules checked October 2026
Cal. Veh. Code §22658; CHP published maximums FY2025-26 (Class A tow $326.55/hr; outdoor storage $77.78/day) — the legal cap is the law-enforcement-agreement or CHP-approved rate for that operator
| Charge | Published maximum |
|---|---|
| CHP published maximum, Class A tow (first hour) | $326.55 |
| CHP published maximum, outdoor storage | $77.78/day |
The drop rule
If you arrive while the vehicle is coupled but not yet transported, the drop fee may not exceed half the regular tow charge.
Payment
The yard must accept cash, an insurer's check, or a valid bank credit card.
Your belongings
You may retrieve your personal property from the vehicle FREE during business hours.
Gate fees
An after-hours gate fee may not exceed half the hourly tow rate.
Storage rule
A vehicle released within 24 hours may be charged no more than one day of storage.
Penalties & remedies
Charging an excessive rate carries civil liability of four times the amount charged.
Kickbacks
Paying a property owner or agent for the privilege of towing is banned in this state (U.S. PIRG state survey, 2022). A kickback arrangement behind your tow is a claim of its own.
The protection scorecard
U.S. PIRG rated this state's towing protections across the 15 issues it surveys (2021 report, 2022 update): 12 of 15 protections rated good.
Who takes the complaint
The law-enforcement agency whose rate agreement covers the tower; California Attorney General for patterns.