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Property & trespass

Towing Vehicles From Private Property in California: What the Law Requires

Updated 2026-07-15 · 6 min read · Sacramento, CA dispatch

PPO #122730

Short answer

California Vehicle Code Section 22658 sets out detailed requirements for towing a vehicle from private property, including specific signage, notification steps, and in many cases requiring the property owner or an authorized agent — not the tow company or a security officer acting alone — to request the tow. Requirements vary based on whether it is a residential, gated, or general private lot, so the current statutory text should be checked before any tow policy is finalized.

What the statute generally requires

California Vehicle Code 22658 governs towing from private property and includes provisions on required signage (size, placement, and content), notice to the vehicle owner or local law enforcement in some circumstances, and who is authorized to request the tow on behalf of the property. Certain categories, like towing from a space reserved for a specific resident or towing due to expired registration, carry their own specific rules within the statute.

Because the statute is detailed and has been amended over time, property managers and HOA boards should read the current text directly and coordinate with a licensed, insured towing company familiar with California's private-property towing rules rather than relying on a general summary alone.

What this does NOT authorize

  • It does not authorize a security officer to personally move, damage, or tow a vehicle themselves — towing must go through a licensed towing company under the statute's procedures.
  • It does not eliminate signage and notice requirements even on a fully private lot.
  • It does not authorize towing as a form of punishment unrelated to a genuine parking violation covered by the property's posted rules.
  • It is not a substitute for the property owner's or authorized agent's decision-making — a patrol officer can flag a violation, but tow authorization typically rests with ownership or management per the statute and property policy.

Official sources & local data

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Towing Vehicles From Private Property in California: What the Law Requires — the follow-ups

Can a security officer order a tow on their own authority?
Generally, the property owner or an authorized agent must request the tow under Vehicle Code 22658's process; a patrol officer's role is typically to document violations and relay them per property policy.
What signage does a private lot need to tow vehicles?
Vehicle Code 22658 specifies signage requirements including size and posted content; requirements can vary by scenario, so check the current statutory text or consult the towing company's compliance guidance.
Does the law differ for gated communities?
Some provisions of the Vehicle Code address gated communities and reserved spaces specifically — verify the applicable subsection for the property type in question.

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