Riverside towing, impound and auto rules
Source: California Auto Help (californiaautohelp.com), part of the Local Help Stations network (localhelpstations.com). Last updated November 2, 2026.
Towing and impound in Riverside
Riverside's FY 2025-26 Schedule of Fees and Charges lists Vehicle Release: Safe Streets Act tows $372.00 per vehicle; vehicle release for all other tows $119.50. Towing referral services are $70.00 per vehicle. (source: City of Riverside)
Statewide poststorage hearing rights under Vehicle Code 22852 still apply to public-agency storage: request within 10 days of the notice. (source: California Legislature)
Statewide rules that apply here
- When a public agency stores a vehicle, the registered and legal owners get a poststorage hearing to test whether the storage was valid (CVC 22852).
- Notice must be mailed or delivered within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.
- Request the hearing in person, in writing or by telephone within 10 days of the date on the notice.
- The hearing must be held within 48 hours of the request, excluding weekends and holidays.
- If the hearing finds no reasonable grounds for the storage, the agency pays the towing and storage costs.
- This section does not apply to private property tows under CVC 22658, certain abandoned-vehicle abatements, or some investigative impounds.
(source: California Legislature)
See towed vehicle rights, Smog Check and registration renewal.
Other cities: Los Angeles · San Diego · San Francisco · Sacramento · Fresno · Long Beach · Oakland · Riverside
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Sources
- City of Riverside: Schedule of Fees and Charges FY 2025-26 (PDF) (checked November 2, 2026)
- California Legislature (California Legislative Information): Vehicle Code 22852 (poststorage hearing) (checked November 2, 2026)
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