{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1233.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1233.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1233.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1233.1.html"}],"law_id":57172,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57172,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233.1","catch_line":"Limitation on charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles","history":"1990, c. 266; 1993, c. 598; 2006, cc. 874, 891; 2013, c. 592; 2018, cc. 324, 363; 2020, c. 31; 2023, c. 323; 2024, c. 537; 2025, c. 625.","full_text":"A\n\nUnless different limits are established by ordinance of the local governing body pursuant to § 46.2-1233, as to vehicles towed or removed from private property, no charges imposed for the towing, storage, and safekeeping of any passenger car removed, towed, or stored without the consent of its owner shall be in excess of the maximum charges provided for in this section. No hookup and initial towing fee of any passenger car shall exceed $210. For towing a vehicle between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, an additional fee of no more than $30 per instance may be charged; however, in no event shall more than two such fees be charged for towing any such vehicle. No charge shall be made for storage and safekeeping for a period of 24 hours or less. Except for fees or charges imposed by this section or a local ordinance adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233, no other fees or charges shall be imposed during the first 24-hour period.B\n\nThe governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance, with the advice of an advisory board established pursuant to § 46.2-1233.2, (i) provide that no towing and recovery business having custody of a vehicle towed without the consent of its owner impose storage charges for that vehicle for any period during which the owner of the vehicle was prevented from recovering the vehicle because the towing and recovery business was closed and (ii) place limits on the amount of fees charged by towing and recovery operators. Any such ordinance limiting fees shall also provide for periodic review of and timely adjustment of such limitations.C\n\n[Expired.]","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":209389,"text":"Unless different limits are established by ordinance of the local governing body pursuant to § 46.2-1233, as to vehicles towed or removed from private property, no charges imposed for the towing, storage, and safekeeping of any passenger car removed, towed, or stored without the consent of its owner shall be in excess of the maximum charges provided for in this section. No hookup and initial towing fee of any passenger car shall exceed $210. For towing a vehicle between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, an additional fee of no more than $30 per instance may be charged; however, in no event shall more than two such fees be charged for towing any such vehicle. No charge shall be made for storage and safekeeping for a period of 24 hours or less. Except for fees or charges imposed by this section or a local ordinance adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233, no other fees or charges shall be imposed during the first 24-hour period.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":209390,"text":"The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance, with the advice of an advisory board established pursuant to § 46.2-1233.2, (i) provide that no towing and recovery business having custody of a vehicle towed without the consent of its owner impose storage charges for that vehicle for any period during which the owner of the vehicle was prevented from recovering the vehicle because the towing and recovery business was closed and (ii) place limits on the amount of fees charged by towing and recovery operators. Any such ordinance limiting fees shall also provide for periodic review of and timely adjustment of such limitations.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":209391,"text":"[Expired.]","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13249,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trespassing Vehicles, Parking, and Towing","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13248,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","permalink":{"id":229801,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13249,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3","url":"\/46.2\/III\/12\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13248,"edition_id":1,"name":"Abandoned, Immobilized, Unattended and Trespassing Vehicles; Parking","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","permalink":{"id":229707,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13248,"identifier":"12","token":"46.2\/III\/12","url":"\/46.2\/III\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57036,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1216","catch_line":"Removal or immobilization of motor vehicles, vehicles, and trailers against which there are outstanding parking violations; ordinances","url":"\/46.2-1216\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1216","metadata":false},{"id":60919,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1217","catch_line":"Local governing body may regulate certain towing","url":"\/46.2-1217\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1217","metadata":false},{"id":69274,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1217.1","catch_line":"Towing of certain large vehicles; civil penalty","url":"\/46.2-1217.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1217.1","metadata":false},{"id":74346,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1218","catch_line":"Reports by persons in charge of garages, parking places, etc.; unclaimed vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1218\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1218","metadata":false},{"id":56179,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1219","catch_line":"Regulation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic on certain parking lots","url":"\/46.2-1219\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1219","metadata":false},{"id":80549,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1219.1","catch_line":"Regulation or prohibition of vehicular traffic on certain privately owned public parking areas and driveways; penalties","url":"\/46.2-1219.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1219.1","metadata":false},{"id":77831,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1219.2","catch_line":"Parking of vehicles in commuter parking lots owned by the Virginia Department of Transportation","url":"\/46.2-1219.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1219.2","metadata":false},{"id":54248,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1219.3","catch_line":"Parking of vehicles in parking spaces reserved for charging electric vehicles; civil penalties","url":"\/46.2-1219.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1219.3","metadata":false},{"id":59917,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1220","catch_line":"Parking, stopping, and standing regulations in counties, cities, or towns; parking meters; presumption as to violation of ordinances; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1220\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1220","metadata":false},{"id":74268,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1221","catch_line":"Authority of county to regulate parking on county-owned or leased property or on county highways; parking meters; presumption as to violation of ordinances","url":"\/46.2-1221\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1221","metadata":false},{"id":55577,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1222","catch_line":"Regulation of parking on secondary highways by certain counties","url":"\/46.2-1222\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1222","metadata":false},{"id":77619,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1222.1","catch_line":"Regulation or prohibition of parking of certain vehicles in certain counties and towns","url":"\/46.2-1222.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1222.1","metadata":false},{"id":68697,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1222.2","catch_line":"Local ordinances prohibiting parking of certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1222.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1222.2","metadata":false},{"id":59842,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1223","catch_line":"Authority of Commissioner to regulate parking on certain parts of primary state highway system","url":"\/46.2-1223\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1223","metadata":false},{"id":61279,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1224","catch_line":"County ordinances prohibiting certain parking in streets and highways","url":"\/46.2-1224\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1224","metadata":false},{"id":78821,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1224.1","catch_line":"Local ordinances regulating certain parking; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1224.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1224.1","metadata":false},{"id":74507,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1225","catch_line":"Enforcement provisions in city or county parking ordinances","url":"\/46.2-1225\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1225","metadata":false},{"id":82170,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1226","catch_line":"Enforcement of regulations governing parking in Capitol Square","url":"\/46.2-1226\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1226","metadata":false},{"id":55537,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1227","catch_line":"Enforcement of state regulations governing parking on primary and secondary highways","url":"\/46.2-1227\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1227","metadata":false},{"id":76331,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1228","catch_line":"Enforcement of parking regulations of boards of visitors of educational institutions","url":"\/46.2-1228\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1228","metadata":false},{"id":57912,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1229","catch_line":"Enforcement of parking regulations of State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services","url":"\/46.2-1229\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1229","metadata":false},{"id":69298,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1230","catch_line":"Authority of counties, cities, and towns to issue parking permits","url":"\/46.2-1230\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1230","metadata":false},{"id":68405,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1231","catch_line":"Ticketing, removal, or immobilization of trespassing vehicles by owner or operator of parking or other lot or building; charges","url":"\/46.2-1231\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1231","metadata":false},{"id":86926,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1231.1","catch_line":"Immunity from liability for certain towing","url":"\/46.2-1231.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1231.1","metadata":false},{"id":81284,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1231.2","catch_line":"Attorney fees and costs; towing and recovery operators","url":"\/46.2-1231.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1231.2","metadata":false},{"id":69434,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1232","catch_line":"Localities may regulate removal or immobilization of trespassing vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1232\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1232","metadata":false},{"id":77977,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233","catch_line":"Localities may regulate towing fees","url":"\/46.2-1233\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233","metadata":false},{"id":57172,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233.1","catch_line":"Limitation on charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1233.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.1","metadata":false},{"id":64627,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233.2","catch_line":"Advisory board","url":"\/46.2-1233.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.2","metadata":false},{"id":57835,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233.3","catch_line":"Improper towing; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1233.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.3","metadata":false},{"id":65934,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1234","catch_line":"Liability of persons furnishing free parking accommodations as to motor vehicles and property left therein","url":"\/46.2-1234\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1234","metadata":false},{"id":58978,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1235","catch_line":"Authority of Chesterfield County law-enforcement officers to issue parking tickets","url":"\/46.2-1235\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1235","metadata":false},{"id":81990,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1236","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1236\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1236","metadata":false},{"id":66887,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1237","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1237\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1237","metadata":false},{"id":66758,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1238","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1238\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1238","metadata":false},{"id":66211,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1239","catch_line":"Parking in certain locations; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1239\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1239","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77977,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233","catch_line":"Localities may regulate towing fees","url":"\/46.2-1233\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":64627,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233.2","catch_line":"Advisory board","url":"\/46.2-1233.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1233.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1990. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 266 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1990 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1993, chapter 598; in 2006, chapters 874<\/a> and 891<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 592<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 324<\/a> and 363<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 31<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 323<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 537<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 625<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76721,"section_number":"2.2-517","catch_line":"Division of Consumer Counsel created; duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-517\/"},{"id":84528,"section_number":"46.2-117","catch_line":"Revocation and suspension of registration of tow truck driver; notice and hearing; assessment of costs","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-117\/"},{"id":84696,"section_number":"46.2-119","catch_line":"Complaints against tow truck drivers or towing and recovery operators; enforcement by the Office of the Attorney General","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-119\/"},{"id":77977,"section_number":"46.2-1233","catch_line":"Localities may regulate towing fees","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1233\/"},{"id":57835,"section_number":"46.2-1233.3","catch_line":"Improper towing; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1233.3\/"},{"id":82977,"section_number":"59.1-200","catch_line":"Prohibited practices","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-200\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":77977,"section_number":"46.2-1233","catch_line":"Localities may regulate towing fees","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1233\/"},{"id":64627,"section_number":"46.2-1233.2","catch_line":"Advisory board","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1233.2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":229911,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57172,"identifier":"46.2-1233.1","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.1","url":"\/46.2-1233.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1233.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Limitation on charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1233.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Unless different limits are established by ordinance<\/span> of the local governing body<\/span> pursuant to § 46.2-1233<\/a>, as to vehicles<\/span> towed or removed from private property, no charges imposed for the towing, storage, and safekeeping of any passenger car<\/span> removed, towed, or stored without the consent of its owner<\/span> shall be in excess of the maximum charges provided for in this section. No hookup and initial towing fee of any passenger car<\/span> shall exceed $210. For towing a vehicle<\/span> between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, an additional fee of no more than $30 per instance may be charged; however, in no event shall more than two such fees be charged for towing any such vehicle<\/span>. No charge shall be made for storage and safekeeping for a period of 24 hours or less. Except for fees or charges imposed by this section or a local ordinance<\/span> adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233<\/a>, no other fees or charges shall be imposed during the first 24-hour period. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The governing body<\/span> of any county, city, or town may by ordinance<\/span>, with the advice of an advisory board established pursuant to § 46.2-1233.2<\/a>, (i) provide that no towing and recovery business having custody<\/span> of a vehicle<\/span> towed without the consent of its owner<\/span> impose storage charges for that vehicle<\/span> for any period during which the owner<\/span> of the vehicle<\/span> was prevented from recovering the vehicle<\/span> because the towing and recovery business was closed and (ii) place limits on the amount of fees charged by towing and recovery operators<\/span>. Any such ordinance<\/span> limiting fees shall also provide for periodic review of and timely adjustment of such limitations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> [Expired.] <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLIMITATION ON CHARGES FOR TOWING AND STORAGE OF CERTAIN VEHICLES (\u00a7\n46.2-1233.1)\n\nA. Unless different limits are established by ordinance of the local governing\nbody pursuant to § 46.2-1233, as to vehicles towed or removed from private\nproperty, no charges imposed for the towing, storage, and safekeeping of any\npassenger car removed, towed, or stored without the consent of its owner shall\nbe in excess of the maximum charges provided for in this section. No hookup and\ninitial towing fee of any passenger car shall exceed $210. For towing a vehicle\nbetween 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or on any Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, an\nadditional fee of no more than $30 per instance may be charged; however, in no\nevent shall more than two such fees be charged for towing any such vehicle. No\ncharge shall be made for storage and safekeeping for a period of 24 hours or\nless. Except for fees or charges imposed by this section or a local ordinance\nadopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233, no other fees or charges shall be imposed\nduring the first 24-hour period.\n\nB. The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance, with the\nadvice of an advisory board established pursuant to § 46.2-1233.2, (i)\nprovide that no towing and recovery business having custody of a vehicle towed\nwithout the consent of its owner impose storage charges for that vehicle for any\nperiod during which the owner of the vehicle was prevented from recovering the\nvehicle because the towing and recovery business was closed and (ii) place\nlimits on the amount of fees charged by towing and recovery operators. Any such\nordinance limiting fees shall also provide for periodic review of and timely\nadjustment of such limitations.\n\nC. [Expired.]\n\nHISTORY: 1990, c. 266; 1993, c. 598; 2006, cc. 874, 891; 2013, c. 592; 2018, cc.\n324, 363; 2020, c. 31; 2023, c. 323; 2024, c. 537; 2025, c. 625.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}