Car towed from private property in Sanford
Your car got towed from a lot or apartment complex in Sanford. Florida law sets clear rules for that, and most private-property tows release quickly once you pay the yard.
What Florida law says
Florida Statute 715.07 sets the minimum rules for towing a car off private property without your consent. The property has to post a sign at every driveway or curb cut, within 10 feet of the road, with "Tow-Away Zone" in reflective letters at least 4 inches high on a contrasting background. The sign also needs the towing-at-your-expense warning in letters at least 2 inches high, plus the tow company's name and current phone number, mounted 3 to 6 feet off the ground, in place at least 24 hours before any tow. Smaller lots with 20 spaces or fewer can use a simpler "Reserved Parking" sign instead. Once the tow is done, the operator also has to notify local police within 30 minutes, reporting the storage site, tow time, and your vehicle's description and plate. Orange County's own towing ordinance adds more on top of the state law: the tow company needs a written agreement with the property owner on file with the Sheriff's Office, and the sign itself must now carry a QR code linking to the county's own parking information page. Because of these rules, most private-property tows release quickly once you pay the yard.
How it works in Sanford
- 1 Confirm it was a private-property tow
Private-property tows happen at apartment complexes, shopping centers, and other lots, not public streets. That's a different process than a police-ordered tow.
- 2 Check for the required signage
Florida law requires a posted sign at every entrance, with "Tow-Away Zone" in reflective letters at least 4 inches high. It also needs the tow company's name and current phone number.
- 3 Find out which yard has your car
Call the number listed on the tow-away sign, or the property manager directly. They can tell you which storage facility has your car.
- 4 Bring your paperwork to the yard
You'll need a valid driver's license, current registration, and proof of insurance. The yard checks these before releasing any vehicle.
- 5 Ask about the drop fee if you catch the truck in time
If your car gets hooked up but the truck hasn't left yet, the operator has to wait at least 15 minutes and can charge no more than half the normal tow rate, $67.50 for a standard car.
- 6 Retrieve your vehicle
Orange County requires release within 30 minutes of payment, and most private-property tows resolve the same day. Quick Tow Orlando can't waive private-property tow fees since we're not the yard.
What this looks like around Sanford
Private-property tows in {c} typically happen at shopping centers or apartment lots along US 17-92 and SR-436. The same state signage law applies whether you're in Seminole or Orange County.
Sanford anchors the north end of the metro at I-4 Exit 101, and Orlando Sanford International Airport drives a steady stream of rental-car breakdowns and stranded-tourist calls on top of standard commuter traffic. The SunRail park-and-ride lot near downtown adds lockout and jump-start volume from rail commuters, and Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River carry real flood risk, the river hit Major Flood Stage during Hurricane Ian in 2022, cresting above the 1953 record and covering SR-46 for weeks. We cover Historic Downtown Sanford, the Sanford RiverWalk, Fort Mellon Park, and the I-4 Exit 101 interchange, reaching most calls in about 30 to 40 minutes from Seminole North dispatch. Post-storm vehicle recovery is a real, recurring call type here, not a rare event, and flatbed is our default for water-exposed vehicles that need towing rather than a risky restart.
Common Sanford questions
Is it legal to tow my car from a parking lot in Sanford?
Yes, if the property posted signage that meets Florida Statute 715.07 and followed any added county rules. Without proper signs, the tow may not hold up if you dispute it.
What signs does a property need to post before towing in Sanford?
State law requires "Tow-Away Zone" in reflective letters at least 4 inches high, posted at every entrance at least 24 hours before a tow. The sign also needs the tow company's name and current phone number, plus a QR code linking to the county's parking page in Orange County.
Can I get my car back the same day after a private-property tow in Sanford?
Usually, yes. Orange County requires release within 30 minutes of payment, so most private-property tows wrap up the same day.
Does Quick Tow Orlando do private-property tows in Sanford?
Yes, we tow for property owners and managers with a written authorization on file. If your own car got towed, we can also help with transport once it's released.
Related help for Sanford
Private-property tows in the rest of the Seminole North area
Need your car towed once it's released in Sanford?
We can't waive the yard's fees. We can tow it home the moment it clears.