Harris County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Harris County, Texas
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from HCSO Vehicle Crime Processing Facility.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Harris 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 Harris 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 Harris 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)
Tow Fee (Non-Consent): $225.50 (Standard Light Duty) in Harris County, Texas. If your vehicle has been impounded following an arrest, understanding the local procedures is crucial to reclaiming your property efficiently and affordably. This guide provides specific information for navigating vehicle impoundment in Harris County.
Locating Your Impounded Vehicle
The first step is determining where your vehicle is located. Harris County utilizes a digital tracking system called FindMyTowedCar.com. Input your license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to search the records of private Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSFs) and law enforcement databases.
If your vehicle was towed from a major freeway (I-10, I-45, US-59/69, Loop 610, Beltway 8) within Houston city limits under the "Tow and Go" program (formerly SafeClear), you can still use FindMyTowedCar.com or contact the City of Houston Auto Dealers Detail at (713) 881-3333 (Tow and Go line) or (713) 308-8580 (HPD Tow Line).
A critical distinction exists between storage tows and evidentiary holds. If your vehicle is held as part of a crime scene (e.g., vehicular homicide, drive-by shooting, or as a stolen vehicle), it will be taken to the HCSO Vehicle Crime Processing Facility located at 310 Fisher Road, Houston, TX. Call (281) 446-4399 (Auto Theft Unit) to confirm its status and release requirements.
Fees for Impound Release
Effective January 1, 2025, Harris County non-consent tow rates were adjusted upwards by 2.56% mirroring City of Houston rates. Key fees to anticipate include:
- Tow Fee (Non-Consent): $225.50 (Standard Light Duty).
- Daily Storage: $22.85/day (Vehicle < 25ft). Note that storage fees are assessed per day.
- Admin / Impound Fee: ~$21.03.
- Notification Fee: $50.00 (Charged only after 24 hours + certified letter mailed).
Important: If your vehicle is stored for less than 12 hours, you will only be charged for one day of storage. This makes prompt retrieval essential. VSFs in Texas must accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards.
Required Documents for Release
To release your vehicle from impound in Harris County, you will generally need the following:
- Valid photo ID (Driver's License, State ID, Passport, or Matricula Consular).
- Proof of ownership (Vehicle Title, Current Registration Receipt, or Notarized Power of Attorney if you are not the owner).
Importantly, a VSF cannot legally demand proof of insurance to release your vehicle. However, you cannot legally drive it off the lot without insurance.
Requesting a Tow Hearing
You have a strict deadline of 14 days to file a written request for a tow hearing to contest the validity of the tow or the associated fees. This timeline excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.
Harris County Local Rule 2.3.3 requires all tow hearings to be filed in specific Justice Courts (Precincts 2, 3, 6, or 8). You can file your request at one of the following locations:
- Precinct 2, Place 1 (Judge Delgado) - 10851 Scarsdale, Ste 500, Houston, TX 77089 - (281) 481-9630
- Precinct 3, Place 1 (Judge Stephens) - 14350 Wallisville Rd, Ste 102, Houston, TX 77049 - (713) 274-0760
- Precinct 6, Place 1 (Judge Treviño) - 333 Lockwood, Houston, TX 77011 - (713) 274-3985
The filing fee is $54.00 ($33 Local Fee + $21 State Fee). If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs (Rule 145) to request a waiver.
If you require legal assistance, contact the Houston Lawyer Referral Service at (713) 237-9429 for a referral to a pre-screened Harris County attorney for a reduced $20 consultation fee.
Sources
Texas Transportation Code
Harris County Towing Regulations
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Nearby Texas Counties
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