Maricopa County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Maricopa County, Arizona
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from Priority Towing.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Maricopa County may vary. Contact the impound lot directly for exact costs.
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The First 48 Hours Are Critical
After a arrest in Maricopa County, your vehicle is likely towed to an impound lot. Storage fees accumulate daily, making time your biggest enemy.
What Happens Immediately After Arrest
- 1
Vehicle is towed (usually within 30 minutes of arrest)
- 2
Tow company notifies impound lot (charges start immediately)
- 3
Storage fees begin accruing at $25.0/day in Maricopa County
- 4
Administrative fees added (varies by lot)
Documents You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle
- Valid photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- Vehicle registration or title
- Proof of insurance
- Payment for all fees (see calculator above)
- Release authorization (if not the registered owner)
Can Someone Else Pick Up My Car?
Yes, but they'll need:
- • Written authorization from the registered owner
- • Copy of owner's ID
- • Their own valid ID
- • Proof of insurance in their name or the owner's name
Impound Lot Details
Call Before You Go
Verify your vehicle is at this lot and confirm the exact amount owed before making the trip. Hours and fees may change without notice.
The Impound “Poverty Trap”
Many people can't afford to get their car out immediately, but waiting only makes it worse.
Here's the vicious cycle:
Can't afford the first 3 days of storage + admin fees
Wait a week to save money → fees double
Can't get to work without car → lose income
Wait 2 weeks → fees triple or quadruple
After 30 days → Car may be auctioned by the lot
What You Can Do
- • Borrow money from family/friends (pay them back later, cheaper than daily fees)
- • Use a credit card (even with interest, cheaper than impound fees)
- • Sell non-essential items quickly
- • Ask your employer for an advance
- • Check if your auto insurance covers towing/storage (some policies do)
Impound Recovery Action Steps
Call the impounding police department (NOT the tow yard) to request a Vehicle Release Order. The tow yard cannot release your vehicle without this order
Pay the $150 Admin Fee (A.R.S. § 28-3513) directly to the impounding agency by cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal checks are universally refused
Request a Post-Storage Hearing within 10 days of impoundment (A.R.S. § 28-3514). Missing this deadline waives your right to contest impoundment
Be aware that storage fees accrue per calendar day. A vehicle towed at 11PM and released at 8AM the next day = 2 days of storage
After-hours/gate fees ($45-$150) may apply for retrieval outside standard business hours (generally 8AM-5PM Monday-Friday)
Impound FAQ
Is there a county impound lot in Maricopa County?
No. "County Impound Lot" is a misnomer in Maricopa County. Law enforcement agencies use a decentralized network of private contractors. You must call the impounding agency to confirm which lot holds your vehicle.
How much does impound cost in Maricopa County?
Admin Fee: $150 (paid to impounding agency, not tow company). Storage: $25/day (accrues per calendar day). Tow fees vary by agency: MCSO ~$80/hr + $5/mile, Scottsdale PD $65 flat, Gilbert PD $75/hr + $6/mile. After-hours fees: $45-$150.
What is the 10-day Post-Storage Hearing deadline?
You have 10 days from impoundment to request a Post-Storage Hearing (A.R.S. § 28-3514). Missing this deadline waives your right to contest the impoundment and financial liability. This is separate from your MVD hearing deadline.
Can I use an open title to get my vehicle?
No. "Open titles" (signed over but not processed by MVD) are not accepted as proof of ownership. You must have proper documentation processed through the MVD.
Important Information
Personal checks are universally refused by tow companies and often by agencies for the Admin Fee. Storage fees accrue per calendar day; a vehicle towed at 11:00 PM and released at 8:00 AM the next day constitutes two days of storage in many contracts. Tow fees can be inflated by officer waiting time.
The $150.00 Administrative Fee is a direct revenue stream for Maricopa County, collected to offset the administrative burden of processing impound paperwork.
Maricopa County Vehicle Impound: A Local Guide
Getting your vehicle out of impound in Maricopa County requires navigating a system that uses private towing companies. The specific lot depends on the arresting agency and where the arrest occurred. If the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) impounded your vehicle, it's most likely at Priority Towing. However, it is imperative to call the main office (602-232-6006) to confirm which Priority Towing lot holds your vehicle.
Primary Impound Facility: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO)
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) primarily contracts with Priority Towing. Here are the Priority Towing locations:
- Phoenix Yard (Also MCSO Hearings): 3420 West Lower Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ
- Chandler Yard: 945 N Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ
- Phoenix Overflow: 3242 S 36th St, Phoenix, AZ
Priority Towing's phone number is 602-232-6006.
Release hours are generally 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Hearing hours at the Lower Buckeye location are 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Phoenix Police Department Towing Zones
If your arrest occurred within the Phoenix city limits and was handled by the Phoenix Police Department, your vehicle will be at one of the following contractor locations:
- Zone A (North Phoenix - Precincts 200/900): DVT Enterprises (Call for location, often North Valley) - 623-516-4914
- Zone B (Northeast/Desert Horizon - Precincts 600/700): All City Towing, 922 E. Gilbert Dr, Tempe, AZ - 480-833-7278
- Zone C (West Phoenix/Maryvale/Estrella - Precincts 300/800): Western Towing, 3401 South 43rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ - 623-882-2999
- Zone D (South/Central Phoenix - Precincts 400/500): All City Towing - 480-833-7278
Fees Associated with Impound
The costs associated with impoundment in Maricopa County include administrative, towing, and storage fees.
- Tow Fee (MCSO): Approximately $80.00 per hour plus $5.00 per mile.
- Daily Storage (Statutory Holds): Capped at $25.00 per day statewide.
- Admin Fee: $150.00, payable directly to the impounding agency (e.g., City of Phoenix, MCSO).
Storage fees accrue per calendar day. An after-hours or gate fee of $45.00 - $150.00 may apply if you retrieve your vehicle outside of standard business hours.
Documents Required for Vehicle Release
Retrieving your vehicle requires a Vehicle Release Order from the impounding police department. You will also need:
- Valid Photo ID
- Proof of Ownership (Title/Registration)
“Open titles" (titles that have been signed over on the back but not yet processed by the MVD to show the new owner's name on the front) are generally rejected. You must also have valid Arizona mandatory insurance.
Payment Methods
Priority Towing generally accepts cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Personal checks are universally refused. The $150.00 Admin Fee must be paid to the Police Records Unit or designated hearing office using cash, cashier's check, or money order.
Important Deadline: 10 Days to Request a Hearing
You have just ten (10) days to request a Post-Storage Hearing to contest the impoundment. The request for a hearing must be made within ten days from the date of the Notice of Impoundment.
Spousal Release
If the vehicle is community property, the spouse can retrieve it with a valid driver's license and by entering into a "Stipulated Agreement" with the police department, agreeing not to let the arrested individual drive the vehicle for one year.
To confirm which Priority Towing lot holds your vehicle, call 602-232-6006.
Sources
Arizona Transportation Code
Maricopa County Towing Regulations
Arizona Department of Licensing and Regulation
Nearby Arizona Counties
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