When most people think of tough impound laws, places like Chicago or Phoenix usually stand out. But Texas, particularly in major cities like Houston, has its own strict and often costly approach when it comes to towed or impounded vehicles. Whether it’s for unpaid tolls, driving without insurance, or having expired registration, ending up in a Texas impound lot can quickly snowball into a major financial burden. At the state level, vehicle storage and disposal are governed by the Texas Transportation Code (Chapter 683) and the Texas Occupations Code (Chapter 2303). These laws detail how long a car must be held before it’s sold, how vehicle owners are notified, and under what circumstances a vehicle may be declared junk and removed even faster. In general, if your vehicle is impounded and no one is notified, it must be stored for a minimum of 30 days before the storage facility can sell it at public auction. However, if the owner or lienholder is properly notified, through a certified letter sent within five days of the tow, that holding period drops to just 10 days. That means you could lose your vehicle less than two weeks after it was towed if you’re not keeping up with mail or miss the notice.
Notification isn’t just a courtesy; it’s required. The storage facility must provide a written notice that includes your vehicle’s make, model, VIN, license plate number, and the name and address of the storage lot. The letter also needs to clearly state that your vehicle is set to be auctioned if it isn’t picked up by the deadline. If you don’t respond, the car is sold and the money first goes toward covering tow and storage fees. Anything left over goes to the county, not back to you automatically, though you can request it. In some cases, a vehicle can be disposed of even sooner. If it’s damaged, stripped, or deemed worth $500 or less, the law allows the storage lot to get rid of it after just 10 days, even without going through the full auction process.
Houston, one of the largest cities in Texas, follows these same state laws, but adds its own layers of enforcement. The Houston Police Department is known for towing vehicles with expired registrations (especially if over 45 days late), abandoned cars, or those involved in criminal investigations. If your vehicle ends up in a municipal lot under HPD control, the 30-day minimum applies unless you were properly notified, then you only have ONLY 10 Days to recover it. Private towing lots also follow these same rules but may have additional paperwork or fees imposed under city ordinances. If your car has been impounded in Houston, you’ll need to pay all accrued towing and daily storage charges before it’s released. You must also provide proof of ownership, like a valid ID, registration, or the vehicle title. In the event your car is auctioned, you may still be eligible to claim any money left over after the fees, but that requires a formal request to the proper agency.
While Texas doesn’t always top the list of most aggressive states for towing, the rules on the books, combined with city level enforcement in places like Houston, can catch drivers off guard. Between the short timelines, rising storage fees, and complex notice requirements, it’s easy to see how missing just one step could cost someone their car. OUTPOUND.com recommends always keeping your insurance, registration, and license current, especially in Texas, where the law isn’t known for second chances. IF you did get towed and impounded, better move fast and contact us to save your vehicle!
