Parking Enforcement - Towing Bill of Rights

The City of Miami Beach Parking Enforcement division is responsible for ensuring compliance with all Parking regulations in the city. Vehicles will be cited and towed under certain conditions.

If you suspect your car has been towed, please contact the Parking/Code Enforcement Hotline:
305.604.4785 or 305.604.CITY

Or you may contact the following city-authorized towing companies. They will provide details on how you may retrieve your vehicle.

Beach Towing

1349 Dade Boulevard
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.534.2128 (Not a City of Miami Beach number)

(West of Alton Road) Tremont Towing

1747 Bay Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.672.2395 (Not a City of Miami Beach number)
(2 blocks west of Alton Road)

TOWING BILL OF RIGHTS

YOU'VE BEEN TOWED. NOW WHAT?

A vehicle tow may occur for several reasons. Here are a few things you should know. Including what your rights and responsibilities are regarding your vehicle and the possible fine(s).

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Types of tows

Public Property Tows

A public property tow occurs when a vehicle is illegally parked in a city street, city parking lot or other public right-of-way. A parking citation is also issued stating the violation. The most common reasons for a public property tow are prohibited parking (parking in fire lanes/hydrants, crosswalks, double-parking); restricted parking, or illegally parking in a handicap accessible parking space, residential parking zone or loading zone. If you wish to appeal the parking citation, the appeal process is printed on the reverse side of the parking citation. A successful appeal of the citation would entitle you to a full refund of the towing costs. The City of Miami Beach Parking Department also has an appeal process for citations, via their website.

Private Property Tows

For private property tows, your vehicle was deemed an "unauthorized" vehicle on private property, such as a privately-owned parking lot. The owner or an owner's agent of that private property has authorized the vehicle's removal at the vehicle owner's expense. An "Unauthorized" vehicle is a vehicle whose owner or operator has parked without the permission of the private property owner and/or has left the premises, leaving the vehicle parked on the private property for any amount of time. These areas must have posted "TOW Away Zone" signs.

Parking Citations

If your vehicle was towed (impounded) because of an unpaid parking violation(s), you must first pay for all parking violations before you can pick up your vehicle. You can pay online at www.miamidade.gov, by mail, or in person at Miami-Dade County Parking Violations Bureau located at 22 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida. For more information, please call the Bureau at 305.275.1133. Once all fees have been paid, take proof of payment to the tow facility at the time you wish to pick up your vehicle.

Retrieving Your Vehicle

The vehicle owner or their authorized agent can pick up a vehicle. The vehicle owner must present one (1) form of picture identification that matches the registration of the vehicle or valid car rental agreement. Per Florida Statute, a legally authorized agent must have a notarized letter from the vehicle owner. No vehicle will be released by a towing company without the proper identification or, in the alternative, notarized consent.

Drop Fees

Drop fees occur when a vehicle owner arrives on the scene of a tow and the vehicle has been engaged (hooked) by the tow truck, but the tow truck has not left the scene. Although Florida law allows towing companies to assess a drop fee (of not more than 50% of the posted towing rates), Miami Beach's towing companies have agreed to voluntarily waive all drop fees. The same identification that is required to retrieve vehicle from a tow facility is required for drop fees to be waived.

Payment Options

For your convenience, Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) are located at both towing company facilities. The following forms of payments must be accepted: Cash, traveler's check or personal bank check drawn on a bank in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Monroe County (see personal check guidelines posted at towing company facility). Credit cards and debit cards will be accepted by City of Miami Beach residents and debit cards from any resident of Miami-Dade County on public property tows. Such credit card or debit card must be presented at time of transaction for payment and must be in the name of the registered owner (see debit card transaction guidelines posted at towing company facility).

Contact

The City of Miami Beach Parking Department and Parking Enforcement regulate towing on public and private property, respectively. For any questions on public or private property tows, please contact the City of Miami Beach Parking Enforcement Hotline at 305.604. CITY (2489).

For complaints about a tow truck operator's driving, call:
Beach Towing: 1.888.550.SAFE | Tremont Towing: 1.888.550.SAFE

Miami Beach Resident Public Tow rates to apply:

Proof of Miami Beach Residency
Must be registered owner of the vehicle
Both drivers licence address & registration must match a valid City of Miami Beach address

As of July 1st 2024 TOWING RATES

(MAXIMUM PER ITEM)

Class "A" Tows: $258
Class "B" Tows: $258
Class "C" Tows: $283/335
Class "D" Tows: $464/515
Administrative Fee: $110

Outside Storage (after 1st 6 hrs.): $41
City Permit Fee: $31
Fuel Charge: $5

The Miami Beach Towing Bill of Rights must be: (1) prominently posted in the Towing Operators Customer Service Area; (2) attached to the customer tow receipt; and (3) a reference to the Miami Beach Bill of Rights must be posted on all wreckers. Ask for a copy of the Towing Bill of Rights if one is not issued to you with your receipt.