Santa Cruz County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Santa Cruz County may vary. Contact the impound lot directly for exact costs.
Select a pickup date to
see cost estimate
The First 48 Hours Are Critical
After a arrest in Santa Cruz 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 daily in Santa Cruz 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
Find Impound Lots in Santa Cruz County
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)
In Santa Cruz County, Arizona, a DUI arrest triggers a mandatory 30-day vehicle impoundment under Arizona Revised Statute § 28-3511. This civil penalty is separate from the criminal DUI case and can create an immediate financial burden.
The First 48 Hours
Following a DUI arrest in Santa Cruz County, your vehicle is typically towed to a private impound lot contracted by either the Nogales Police Department (NPD), the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office (SCCSO), or the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). The first 48 hours are crucial for understanding the impound procedures and beginning the process of eventual vehicle recovery. The vehicle will be held for a minimum of 30 days. During this time, you will accrue daily storage fees in addition to the initial tow fee and an administrative fee payable to the City of Nogales if the vehicle was impounded by NPD. It is important to contact the relevant agency (NPD at (520) 287-9111 for vehicles impounded within Nogales city limits) to confirm the impound location and specific requirements for release.
What Happens After Arrest / Documents Required
| Action | Description be ready to provide the following: |
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Sources
Arizona Transportation Code
Santa Cruz County Towing Regulations
Arizona Department of Licensing and Regulation
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