The release fee at a Houston VSF includes three TDLR-set charges plus the underlying tow fee. Storage is $22.85 per day for vehicles up to 25 ft, the impoundment fee is capped at $20, and the notification fee is capped at $50. Use findmytowedcar.com for City of Houston tows and findmytowedcar.org/harriscountytow for unincorporated Harris County.

The three VSF fees you will pay

Under TDLR’s published fee schedule (16 TAC §85.722, effective Jan 1, 2024):

  • Storage: $22.85 per day for vehicles up to 25 ft; $39.99 per day for vehicles over 25 ft
  • Impoundment fee: $20 maximum, and only if impoundment services were actually performed
  • Notification fee: $50 (one-time)

Storage begins 6 hours after the vehicle arrives at the VSF. A part-day counts as a day for storage purposes, but not more than one day if under 12 hours.

Plus the underlying tow fee

On top of the VSF fees, you pay the tow operator’s fee. The number depends on where the tow happened:

  • Inside the City of Houston: $232 for the first 20 miles, then $4.64 a mile (Mun. Code §8-123, effective Jan 1, 2026)
  • Outside the city but inside Harris County (unincorporated): TDLR statewide cap of $272 for vehicles 10,000 lb or less, $380 for 10,001 to 24,999 lb, $489 per unit (up to $978) for 25,000 lb or more
  • Heavy-duty wrecker inside the city: hourly under §8-123(d), two-hour minimum

For a typical light-duty car, expect roughly $232 (city tow) plus 1 to 3 days of storage ($22.85/day) plus up to $20 impoundment and up to $50 notification. That puts the typical same-day release at about $325 to $371 before any heavy-duty, after-hours, or winching extras.

Hook-up-only release inside the City of Houston

If the truck was hooked to your car but the tow has not yet started, and you arrive before the operator begins driving away, the City of Houston allows a hook-up-only release at half the regular fee. This is the §8-123 hook-up-only rule. The operator must release the vehicle at the half rate on request.

For a heavy-duty wrecker in a hook-up-only release, §8-123(d) still applies. The half-rate is on the light-duty figure, not on a special heavy-duty minimum.

Prohibited VSF fees

Under TDLR, a VSF cannot charge:

  • Environmental fees
  • Notary fees
  • Fees to access personal property in a stored vehicle

If the VSF tries to add any of these, that is a TDLR violation. Note the charge, ask for an itemized receipt, and file a complaint.

How to find your car

Houston does not have a single city impound lot. The vehicle is at whichever licensed VSF received it.

For tows inside the City of Houston: search findmytowedcar.com by plate or VIN. Records usually post within 2 hours of the tow.

For tows in unincorporated Harris County: search findmytowedcar.org/harriscountytow. The site is open around the clock and launched in November 2025.

If the lookup is empty: call HPD Towline at (713) 308-8580. An operator can locate the vehicle by plate or VIN.

For tows from Pasadena, Sugar Land, Baytown, or other incorporated cities: contact that city’s police department or the VSF directly.

What to bring to the VSF

To release the car, bring:

  • A photo ID (driver license or state ID)
  • Proof of ownership (title or current registration in your name)
  • Proof of insurance
  • Payment for tow, storage, impoundment, and notification fees

If someone else is picking up the car for you, bring their photo ID, your written authorization, and a copy of your ID. The VSF will release to an authorized agent.

When you can challenge the fees

You have the right to a tow hearing in JP court within 14 days under Occ. Code §§2308.452, 2308.456. If you believe any fee was wrong (overcharge, prohibited fee, charge for storage beyond the 5-day cap before notice), raise it at the hearing.

To preserve your right:

  • Pay the lawful charges to get the car out (do not refuse payment)
  • Keep the itemized receipt
  • File the hearing request in writing before the 14th day
  • Bring the receipt and any photos or witness statements to the hearing

For a longer discussion of hearing rights, see our rights guide. For a fee overview, see our tow cost guide.

If you need a tow after release, Quick Tow Houston dispatches licensed operators across the metro at (281) 916-1288.

Frequently asked questions

How much is impound storage per day in Houston? $22.85 per day for vehicles up to 25 ft, $39.99 per day for vehicles over 25 ft. Set by TDLR under 16 TAC §85.722, effective Jan 1, 2024.

How much is the impoundment fee? Up to $20, charged once, and only if impoundment services were actually performed. Plus a notification fee of up to $50.

Can a VSF charge me to access personal property? No. TDLR prohibits that fee.

Is there a hook-up-only release inside Houston? Yes. If the truck is hooked but the tow has not started and you arrive before driving away, the release is half the regular fee under §8-123.

Can I tow a heavy-duty vehicle from a Houston VSF at the light-duty rate? No. Heavy-duty wrecker work is billed hourly under §8-123(d) with a two-hour minimum.

What if the VSF charges me an environmental fee? That is a TDLR violation. Note the charge, ask for an itemized receipt, and file a complaint.