You pay rent at that complex. You parked where you always park. And now your spot is empty and your car is gone. Getting towed from your own apartment lot is a special kind of infuriating — and it happens all over Tampa, from Ybor to South Tampa to Brandon. The good news: Florida law is on your side more than the tow company wants you to think. Here's exactly what to do.
First 3 Things to Do Right Now
- Confirm it was towed, not stolen. Look for a tow-warning sign near where you parked. If there's a sign, it was almost certainly towed. If there's genuinely no sign anywhere, call police to report a possible theft.
- Photograph where you parked — before you leave. Get the empty spot, any nearby signs (or the lack of them), curb paint, and your permit if you have one. This is your evidence if the tow was wrong.
- Find out who has your car (next section) and how much they want, before you drive over with cash.
How to Find Where Your Car Is
Two fast ways, and you should try both:
1. The signs at your complex. By law the tow-warning signs must list the towing company's name and phone number. Call them and give your plate — they'll confirm if they have it and where the storage yard is.
2. Call law enforcement. A tow company must notify police within 30 minutes of a non-consent tow. So police have a record of your car.
- 📞 Tampa Police non-emergency: (813) 231-6130 — if your complex is inside Tampa city limits
- 📞 Hillsborough County Sheriff non-emergency: (813) 247-8200 — for Brandon, Riverview, and unincorporated county
Was the Tow Even Legal?
This is where most drivers give up money they didn't have to. Under Florida Statute 715.07, a complex can only tow from private property if the signage is right. The signs must be:
- Permanently installed at each vehicle entrance — not a laminated sheet zip-tied up that week
- Clearly readable and prominently placed
- Stating unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense
- Listing the tow company's name and phone number
If those signs weren't there, or didn't name the company, you have a real basis to dispute the charge — and often get it back. For the full breakdown of the statute and every right it gives you, read our guide to Florida towing laws and your rights.
Common Apartment Tow Situations in Tampa
"They towed me from my own assigned spot"
Assigned-spot enforcement is common in Tampa complexes. If you were in your spot with a valid permit, that's likely a wrongful tow — management or the company misread the plate or the spot. Bring your lease and permit and demand a refund.
"My guest got towed"
Guest and visitor towing is the #1 complaint at Tampa apartments. Check whether the complex requires a visitor pass and where guests are allowed to park. If the rules weren't posted, the tow is disputable.
"My permit sticker expired / fell off"
An expired or fallen decal is a gray area. You may still owe the fee, but you can ask management to intervene — many will call the yard and release it if you're a resident in good standing.
"I was in a fire lane / handicap spot"
These tows are usually valid, and safety-related tows have less wiggle room. Focus on getting the car back quickly and checking that the fee doesn't exceed the legal cap.
What an Apartment Tow Can Legally Cost You
Here's what the tow company doesn't advertise: they don't set the price — Hillsborough County does. For a non-consent (trespass) tow, the county caps the fees.
If your receipt is higher than that, it's a violation. See the full breakdown in our Hillsborough County towing rates guide — and check your receipt against it line by line.
How to Dispute an Unfair Apartment Tow
- Pay under protest to get your car back — don't let storage fees stack up while you fight it.
- Get an itemized receipt. They're required to give you one.
- Keep your evidence — the photos of the parking area and missing/bad signs, your lease, your permit.
- File a complaint with the Hillsborough County Tax Collector, which regulates towing companies in the county, and with the property management for a wrongful tow from your own complex.
- Small claims court for amounts under $8,000 in Florida if they won't refund a clearly unlawful tow.
Quick reminder — in Florida you have the right to:
- Reclaim your car for half price if you catch it before it leaves the lot
- Grab your personal belongings at no charge during business hours
- Pay by cash or card — "cash only" is not allowed
- An itemized receipt for every charge
- Fees no higher than the county maximum
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my car be towed from my own apartment complex?
Yes, management can authorize it — but only with permanent, properly posted signs naming the tow company. Missing or non-compliant signs can make the tow unlawful under Florida Statute 715.07.
How do I find my car after an apartment tow?
Read the tow signs for the company's number, or call Tampa Police non-emergency (813) 231-6130 (or Hillsborough Sheriff (813) 247-8200 in the county). The company had to notify police within 30 minutes.
How much can they charge me?
In Hillsborough County, up to $200 flat plus $7/mile and $45/day storage for a non-consent tow. Half the tow fee if you catch it still on the lot. Anything above the cap is a violation.
Can I get my stuff out of the car?
Yes — personal belongings, free, during business hours, even while you dispute the bill.
Save an Honest Tampa Tow Company — Before You Need One
An apartment tow is the involuntary kind. When you need a tow — breakdown, dead battery, flat — call a company that quotes the price up front and lets you pick where your car goes. See our pricing or estimate your tow.
+ Save Our Number ☎ Call NowThis article is general information for Tampa-area drivers, not legal advice. Florida Statute 715.07 and Hillsborough County towing rates and ordinances change over time. Verify current maximum rates with the Hillsborough County Tax Collector and read the current statute at leg.state.fl.us, or consult a licensed Florida attorney for your situation.