Towing/Immobilizations

Parking and Transportation tows or impounds (immobilizes) vehicles that:

• Have five or more outstanding (unpaid) parking violations from any agency in the State
• Have three or more outstanding (unpaid) UC parking violations
• Display altered, stolen, counterfeit, or unauthorized permits
• Park at tow away zones, such as disabled and reserved parking areas
• Park at emergency/fire access lanes
• Park on any surface not specifically marked for legal parking of motor vehicles, such as but not limited to lawns, open spaces, sidewalks, plazas, unmarked curbs, roadways, drive aisles, and bikeways
• Have expired vehicle registration (more than six months)

Procedures / Fees

Vehicles are removed (towed) or impounded (immobilized) by a bonded towing service or by Parking and Transportation.

• Towing: The cost of removal (towing) and storage (if applicable) of a vehicle constitutes a lien against the vehicle for which the owner/operator is held liable. A vehicle that has been towed will be held until all penalties are paid.

• Immobilizing: The cost of impoundment/ immobilization constitutes a lien against the vehicle for which the owner/operator is held liable. If penalties and associated fees are not paid by 4:00 p.m. on the date of impoundment, an immobilized vehicle will be towed to a storage facility, in which case the vehicle owner/operator will be held liable for additional towing and/or storage fees. All fees and penalties must be paid before the vehicle will be released.

Vehicle Release Procedures:

To have a vehicle released from impoundment / immobilization or to receive an authorization form to have a vehicle released from the tow yard, ALL penalties and associated fees must be paid to Parking and Transportation. Penalties and fees may be paid in person to the Parking Office (located in the Public Services Building), Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm. From 4:00pm-10:00pm, Monday-Friday and from 7:30am-10:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, payment can be made to the Special Events Parking Office (located in the Student Center Parking Structure). Both offices accept either cash or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Coins (in excess of $10.00), Sustainable Transportation dollars, personal checks, foreign currency, and other types of currency are not acceptable forms of payment.

Please be advised that when a vehicle is impounded or towed, the entire amount that is due must be paid to have the vehicle released. Payment plans, partial payments, or community service cannot be negotiated for the release of the vehicle.

Per State law, proof of current vehicle registration and a state issued driver license must be provided to Parking and Transportation in order to have the vehicle released.