Ross County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot in Ross County, Ohio.
*Estimated fees shown for Ross County. Actual fees may vary.
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What comes next after a Ohio DUI arrest
SR-22 insurance
A DUI in Ohio often means an SR-22 must be filed before your license is reinstated.
Ohio SR-22 guideDUI classes
Courts and the DMV usually require an approved alcohol education program in Ohio.
DUI school guideIgnition interlock
Depending on your offense, Ohio may require an interlock device to drive again.
Interlock guideThe First 48 Hours
After a OVI arrest in Ross County, your vehicle is likely towed to an impound lot. Storage fees accumulate daily, making time your biggest enemy.
Retrieval Timeline
- 1
Vehicle Towed
Usually within 30 minutes of your arrest.
- 2
Lot Notification
Fees and admin processing start immediately upon arrival.
- 3
Daily Accrual
Fees start at state averages in Ross County.
- 4
Final Notice
After 30 days, the lot may begin the auction process.
Required Documents
- Valid Photo ID (License or State ID)
- Vehicle Registration or Title
- Current Proof of Insurance
- Full Payment (Cash/Credit)
- Release Authorization (if not owner)
Owner Not Present?
If the registered owner is in custody, you will need a notarized power of attorney or specific written authorization and a copy of their ID to retrieve the vehicle.
Lot Details & Map
Current storage facility information for Ross County. Verify your vehicle's location before traveling.
Lot Information Pending
Contact Ross County local dispatch for specific towing lot assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ross County runs its impound system through a rotation of private contractors — Eitel's Towing, 1 Towing, and Parrish Towing & Transport, which also serves neighboring Fayette County. Finding the vehicle starts with checking the citation or calling the non-emergency dispatch line of whichever agency made the arrest.
The Police Release Form Comes Before the Tow Yard
A vehicle impounded in an OVI arrest almost always carries a formal hold from the arresting agency. Before the tow yard will release anything, the registered owner has to go in person to that agency's headquarters — Chillicothe Police at 35 South Paint Street, or the Sheriff's Office at 28 North Paint Street — during business hours to get an official police release form. If the seizure stems from a repeat-offense immobilization order, a direct order from the presiding judge is required on top of that.
Private lots overwhelmingly want cash, and the person retrieving the car needs a valid driver's license — a real problem since the arrest itself just confiscated that license through an Administrative License Suspension. The workaround is bringing two licensed drivers: one to get the defendant to the lot, and a second to actually drive the impounded vehicle away, along with the title or current registration proving ownership. If the owner wants to send someone else entirely, a notarized hold-harmless and permission document is typically required, though exact policies shift between the independently operated lots.
These Environments Run Genuinely Tense
A widely covered incident at a Chillicothe tow yard in late 2025 escalated into a violent confrontation between customers, employees, and nearby residents, serious enough that responding officers discharged firearms. It's a real illustration of how volatile these interactions can get when unexpected fees collide with bureaucratic delays and the stress of a recent arrest. Calling ahead to confirm the exact cash amount owed, and arriving with every document — the police release, proof of ownership, ID — already organized, goes a long way toward keeping the visit short and low-conflict.
Need Help Beyond Impound?
If you're dealing with a recent arrest, here are immediate resources for release and legal help: