Pima County Vehicle Impound Guide

Pima County, Arizona - Vehicle Impound Guide

The Pima County Sheriff's Department Vehicle Impound Unit (VIU) operates a "Two-Stop" release process for vehicles seized under Arizona law. You'll first need administrative clearance from the VIU before heading to the tow yard.

Two-Stop Release Process

Pima County utilizes a "Two-Stop" regulatory model. This means you'll visit two locations to retrieve your vehicle.

1. Pima County Sheriff's Department Vehicle Impound Unit (VIU): Obtain administrative clearance and pay the administrative fee.
2. Contracted Tow Yard: Pay towing and storage fees and retrieve your vehicle.

VIU Location and Contact Information

The Pima County Sheriff's Department Vehicle Impound Unit (VIU) is located at:

• Address: 1650 E. Benson Highway, Suite B, Tucson, Arizona 85714
• Phone: (520) 351-6105
• Release Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

Required Documents for Release

To retrieve your vehicle, you will need the following documents:

• Valid Photo Identification (Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, or State ID card). If the vehicle owner does not have a valid driver’s license, they must present a valid ID and be accompanied by a second person with a valid driver’s license.
• Current and valid Vehicle Registration. If the registration expired during the impound period, it must be renewed before release.
• Vehicle Title and notarized Bill of Sale (if recently purchased and new registration not issued).
• Proof of current insurance (vehicle-specific). The documentation must list the VIN of the impounded car.
• Proof of ignition interlock device installation (if mandated).

Fees

The financial structure of vehicle recovery in Pima County involves several fees:

• Administrative Fee: $150.00. This fee is paid to the Sheriff's Department at the VIU.
• Daily Storage Rate: $25.00 per day.
• Tow Fee: Varies based on mileage. A tow from the outer limits of Marana or Vail to the Drexel Road lot can add hundreds of dollars to the base tow fee.

Payment Methods

• At the Sheriff's VIU: Acceptable methods for the $150.00 Administrative Fee include Visa/MasterCard (cardholder must be present), Cashier's Check, or Money Order. Cash and personal checks are generally not accepted.
• At the Tow Yard: Tow yards typically accept Cash and Credit Cards. It is advisable to call the specific yard to confirm the final total before arrival.

Tow Yard Information

Pima County contracts with specific tow yards for vehicle storage:

• Gary's Towing (Tucson):
• Address: 5131 E. Drexel Rd, Tucson, AZ 85706
• Phone: (520) 574-9161
• Hours: Generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; After-hours release may be available for a fee.
• Daily Fee: $25
• Payment Methods: Cash, Credit Cards
• Del-Sur Towing / NAPA (Ajo):
• Address: 2050 N. Arizona Highway 85, Ajo, AZ 85321
• Phone: (520) 387-6962
• Hours: Contact vendor directly to confirm availability in this remote region.
• Daily Fee: $25
• Payment Methods: Cash, Credit Cards

Special Consideration for Ajo District Impounds

For vehicles impounded in the Ajo district, the physical distance between the Tucson-based VIU and the Ajo-based tow yard exceeds 100 miles. Owners in this region should contact the Ajo District Sheriff's Office at (520) 387-8511 to determine if administrative processing can be handled locally to avoid a cross-county trip.

To initiate the release process, contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department Vehicle Impound Unit at 1650 E. Benson Highway, Suite B, Tucson, Arizona 85714.