{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1233.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1233.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1233.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1233.3.html"}],"law_id":57835,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57835,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233.3","catch_line":"Improper towing; penalty","history":"2017, c. 825; 2024, c. 537.","full_text":"A\n\nThis section shall apply only to tow truck drivers and towing and recovery operators removing a vehicle without the consent of its owner from a location in Planning District 8.B\n\nIn addition to any action brought pursuant to subsection B of § 46.2-119, any tow truck driver who violates subsection A of § 46.2-118 or § 46.2-1217, 46.2-1231, or 46.2-1233.1, or any ordinance adopted therefrom, or any ordinance adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233, or any towing or recovery operator who violates subsection B of § 46.2-118 or § 46.2-1217, 46.2-1231, or 46.2-1233.1, or any ordinance adopted therefrom, or any ordinance adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233, is subject to a civil penalty of 10 times the total amount charged by such tow truck driver or towing and recovery operator for such removal, towing, and storage. Such penalty shall be collected by the Office of the Attorney General, and the proceeds shall be paid to the victim of such unlawful towing.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":211773,"text":"This section shall apply only to tow truck drivers and towing and recovery operators removing a vehicle without the consent of its owner from a location in Planning District 8.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":211774,"text":"In addition to any action brought pursuant to subsection B of § 46.2-119, any tow truck driver who violates subsection A of § 46.2-118 or § 46.2-1217, 46.2-1231, or 46.2-1233.1, or any ordinance adopted therefrom, or any ordinance adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233, or any towing or recovery operator who violates subsection B of § 46.2-118 or § 46.2-1217, 46.2-1231, or 46.2-1233.1, or any ordinance adopted therefrom, or any ordinance adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233, is subject to a civil penalty of 10 times the total amount charged by such tow truck driver or towing and recovery operator for such removal, towing, and storage. Such penalty shall be collected by the Office of the Attorney General, and the proceeds shall be paid to the victim of such unlawful towing.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1233.3\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2017. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 825<\/a> 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. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2024, chapter 537<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":82474,"section_number":"46.2-118","catch_line":"Prohibited acts by tow truck drivers and towing and recovery operators","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-118\/"},{"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":60919,"section_number":"46.2-1217","catch_line":"Local governing body may regulate certain towing","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1217\/"},{"id":68405,"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","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1231\/"},{"id":77977,"section_number":"46.2-1233","catch_line":"Localities may regulate towing fees","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1233\/"},{"id":57172,"section_number":"46.2-1233.1","catch_line":"Limitation on charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1233.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":229919,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57835,"identifier":"46.2-1233.3","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.3","url":"\/46.2-1233.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1233.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Improper towing; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1233.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> This section shall apply only to tow truck<\/span> drivers<\/span> and towing and recovery operators<\/span> removing a vehicle<\/span> without the consent of its owner<\/span> from a location in Planning District 8. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In addition to any action brought pursuant to subsection B of § 46.2-119<\/a>, any tow truck<\/span> driver<\/span> who violates subsection A of § 46.2-118<\/a> or § 46.2-1217<\/a>, 46.2-1231<\/a>, or 46.2-1233.1<\/a>, or any ordinance<\/span> adopted therefrom, or any ordinance<\/span> adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233<\/a>, or any towing or recovery operator who violates subsection B of § 46.2-118<\/a> or § 46.2-1217<\/a>, 46.2-1231<\/a>, or 46.2-1233.1<\/a>, or any ordinance<\/span> adopted therefrom, or any ordinance<\/span> adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233<\/a>, is subject to a civil penalty<\/span> of 10 times the total amount charged by such tow truck<\/span> driver<\/span> or towing and recovery operator<\/span> for such removal, towing, and storage. Such penalty<\/span> shall be collected by the Office of the Attorney General<\/span>, and the proceeds shall be paid to the victim of such unlawful towing. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nIMPROPER TOWING; PENALTY (\u00a7 46.2-1233.3)\n\nA. This section shall apply only to tow truck drivers and towing and recovery\noperators removing a vehicle without the consent of its owner from a location in\nPlanning District 8.\n\nB. In addition to any action brought pursuant to subsection B of §\n46.2-119, any tow truck driver who violates subsection A of § 46.2-118 or\n§ 46.2-1217, 46.2-1231, or 46.2-1233.1, or any ordinance adopted therefrom,\nor any ordinance adopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233, or any towing or recovery\noperator who violates subsection B of § 46.2-118 or § 46.2-1217,\n46.2-1231, or 46.2-1233.1, or any ordinance adopted therefrom, or any ordinance\nadopted pursuant to § 46.2-1233, is subject to a civil penalty of 10 times\nthe total amount charged by such tow truck driver or towing and recovery\noperator for such removal, towing, and storage. Such penalty shall be collected\nby the Office of the Attorney General, and the proceeds shall be paid to the\nvictim of such unlawful towing.\n\nHISTORY: 2017, c. 825; 2024, c. 537.","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}}