Was Your Car Towed from a Parking Lot? Check the Sign Before You Pay

Georgia law has strict requirements for parking lot towing signs. If the sign is missing required information, the tow may be illegal — and you could recover up to 3x what you paid.

Last verified: January 2026 | Based on O.C.G.A. § 44-1-13

Your First Move: Go Back and Photograph the Sign

Before you do anything else — before you pay, before you argue — go back to the parking lot and take photos of the entrance signs. This is your evidence.

What to Photograph

Every entrance to the parking lot
Close-up of any tow warning signs
Wide shot showing sign location
Any obstructions (bushes, other signs)
The entrance you actually used
Street signs showing location

Timing matters: Go back ASAP. Property owners sometimes add or adjust signs after complaints. Your photos should reflect what was there when you parked.

The Legal Signage Checklist (O.C.G.A. § 44-1-13)

Georgia law requires specific information on parking lot tow warning signs. If ANY of these are missing, the tow may be illegal:

1

Sign must be at EVERY entrance

Not just one entrance — every vehicle entrance to the property must have a sign

No sign at the entrance you used = potential violation
2

Sign must state the tow company name

Full business name of the company that will tow vehicles

Generic 'vehicles will be towed' without company name = violation
3

Sign must show location for vehicle retrieval

Full address of where your vehicle will be taken

No address listed = violation
4

Sign must display cost of recovery

The actual fee amount for the tow must be posted

No price or 'varies' = potential violation
5

Sign must list payment methods accepted

Must specify what forms of payment the lot accepts

'Cash only' when they must accept cards = violation
6

Sign must be conspicuous and legible

Large enough to read, not obscured by bushes or other signs

Tiny sign hidden behind a tree = violation

Found a Violation? Here's How to Get Your Money Back

1

Pay to Get Your Car Out

Yes, pay the fee even if the tow was illegal. Storage fees add up fast. Get your car, keep all receipts. Fighting at the lot won't help — fight in court.

2

Document Everything

Photos of signs (or lack thereof), receipts, dates, times, addresses. Write down the name of anyone you spoke to at the tow yard.

3

File in Magistrate Court

Go to the Magistrate Court in the county where the tow occurred. Filing fee is typically $45-$75. You can represent yourself (no lawyer needed).

4

Claim Up to 3x Damages

Under O.C.G.A. § 44-1-13, if the tow violated signage requirements, you may be entitled to recover up to three times what you paid, plus attorney's fees.

What to Say in Court (Sample Statement)

"Your Honor, on [DATE], my vehicle was towed from [ADDRESS] by [TOW COMPANY].

Under O.C.G.A. § 44-1-13, non-consensual towing from private property requires specific signage at every entrance, including the tow company name, retrieval address, cost of recovery, and accepted payment methods.

As shown in my photographs [present photos], the entrance I used on [STREET NAME] [did not have a sign / had a sign that did not include the required information about _____].

I paid $[AMOUNT] to retrieve my vehicle. I am requesting the return of that amount plus treble damages as allowed under the statute, for a total of $[3x AMOUNT]."

Pro tip: Print out the relevant section of O.C.G.A. § 44-1-13 and bring it with you. Magistrate judges appreciate when you cite specific statutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official Resources

Related Georgia Guides

Georgia Impound OverviewGet Your Belongings1205 Form 30-Day Deadline

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