San Diego 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 San Diego
San Diego's FY26 fee schedule lists a Tow Impound Cost Recovery Fee of $115 per impound and a Tow Franchise Fee of $135 per vehicle. (source: City of San Diego)
AutoReturn: 619-527-4392. SDPD non-emergency: 619-531-2000. Tow Admin: 858-495-7830. Request a poststorage hearing under CVC 22852 within 10 days of the mailed notice; decision within 48 hours. If the tow is invalid, the City pays the fees. Refunds: Public Liability 619-236-6670. Private property tows are not handled by the City. (source: City of San Diego Police Department)
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.
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Sources
- City of San Diego: FY26 User Fee Schedule (PDF) (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of San Diego Police Department: Vehicle Impounds and Towing (checked November 2, 2026)
- California Legislature (California Legislative Information): Vehicle Code 22852 (poststorage hearing) (checked November 2, 2026)
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