Police and Private Property Towing: What to Ask

Whether police can arrange removal from private property depends on the legal authority and circumstances. There is no single rule that answers every private property towing question across Canada. Identify the province, municipality and reason for removal before relying on general advice.

Ask what authorized the removal

Request the incident or occurrence number, the responsible agency and the stated reason for the tow. Clarify whether it relates to parking enforcement, an investigation, a safety issue or another process. Ask where you can obtain the applicable documents.

A Toronto parking example

Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 915 addresses removal by police and municipal enforcement officers and sets out conditions and exceptions. The published chapter should be read as a whole. It is not a rule for every Canadian municipality.

Information to gather

• The vehicle's location and collection contact.
• The authorizing agency and reference number.
• Whether a release or other document is required.
• The itemized charges and storage arrangements.
• The route for questions or review.

For property owners

Describe the actual problem to the local authority and ask what steps to take. Do not assume that calling a towing company replaces an enforcement requirement. Keep your authority to act for the property and relevant parking records available.

For vehicle owners

Document what you were told, keep receipts and ask the authorizing agency how to raise a concern. If you need advice about your specific rights, speak with an appropriate legal professional. A towing provider can discuss vehicle transport but cannot decide a disputed legal issue for you.