Unauthorized vehicles take spaces from tenants and customers, block fire lanes and leave property managers fielding complaints. Nick's Towing San Jacinto provides private property impound towing in San Jacinto for apartment communities, HOAs, shopping centers, churches, offices and industrial lots.
We work within California's private property towing rules, help you get the paperwork and signage right, and respond when a vehicle needs to go. Our drivers stay professional with upset vehicle owners, so your on-site staff don't have to deal with the argument. Call (951) 355-4290 to talk about a parking enforcement agreement for your property.
Who Uses Private Property Impound Towing
Most of our impound clients around San Jacinto and Hemet fall into a few groups:
- Apartment and condo communities dealing with non-residents taking assigned or guest spots
- HOAs enforcing parking rules set out in their governing documents
- Retail and restaurant centers where commuters, event-goers or long-term parkers crowd out customers
- Churches, schools and offices whose lots fill up with outside vehicles
- Industrial and storage properties where abandoned cars and trailers get dumped
Whatever the property, the goal is the same: keep spaces open for the people who are supposed to use them, keep fire lanes and entrances clear, and do it in a way that holds up if a vehicle owner complains.
California Private Property Towing Rules: The Basics
Private property tows in California are governed mainly by California Vehicle Code section 22658. This is a general overview, not legal advice, but these are the points property owners ask about most:
- Signage. In most situations, a sign must be posted in plain view at each entrance to the property. State law sets a minimum size of 17 by 22 inches with lettering at least one inch high. The sign must say public parking is prohibited and vehicles will be removed at the owner's expense, and list the phone number of the local law enforcement agency and the towing company or companies authorized to tow there.
- Written authorization. In most cases, the property owner or an authorized agent must sign a written authorization for each tow and be present to verify the violation. The authorization records details like the vehicle description, plate, the reason for removal and when the vehicle was observed.
- Limited standing authorization. The law allows narrower exceptions, such as vehicles blocking a fire lane, a fire hydrant or a property entrance or exit, under a written agreement with the tow company.
- Law enforcement notice. The local agency must be notified promptly after a private property tow, so owners can find their vehicles. We handle our part of that notification on every tow.
There are other exceptions and details in the statute, and cities and HOAs can add their own requirements. We recommend every property owner confirm their setup with the city, their HOA documents and their attorney if needed.
What’s included
- Parking enforcement for apartments, condos and HOAs
- Retail centers, offices, churches and industrial lots
- Fire lane, hydrant and entrance/exit violations
- Property walk-through and signage review
- Written tow authorization on every removal
- Law enforcement notification on our end
- Secure storage with cash and card accepted
- Abandoned and long-term vehicle removal
- 24/7 response for authorized property agents
Signage and Setup for Your Property
Most problems with private property towing start with bad or missing signs. Before we tow from a property, we'll walk it with you and look at:
- How many entrances need signs, including side driveways and alley access
- Whether existing signs meet the size, wording and contact information requirements
- Which spaces, curbs and areas are restricted, such as fire lanes, reserved stalls and loading zones
- Who on your team is authorized to sign tow authorizations
For properties in San Jacinto, the law enforcement number on the sign is typically the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, which provides police services to the city. In Hemet, it's typically the Hemet Police Department. Confirm the correct agency and number for your exact location before you order signs.
How Private Property Impounds Work Day to Day
Once your property is set up, the routine is simple. Your manager or authorized agent spots a vehicle in violation, verifies it and calls (951) 355-4290. Our driver arrives, the authorization is completed and signed, and the vehicle is towed to our storage facility.
California law protects vehicle owners who show up during the tow. If the owner arrives before the vehicle has left the property, the vehicle must be released. If it's already hooked up, the tow company may charge no more than half of the regular towing fee. We follow that rule every time.
Vehicle owners can recover their vehicle from our storage yard during business hours, and state law requires the facility to accept cash or a valid credit card. Questions from upset owners come to our office, not to your property manager.
Abandoned Vehicles and Long-Term Parkers
Not every problem vehicle is parked in a fire lane. Many properties deal with cars that sit for weeks, have expired registration or are missing parts. California law has specific provisions for these situations, including notice and waiting periods before removal in some cases.
We'll help you figure out which process applies, document the vehicle properly and remove it when the timing is right. If a vehicle is clearly abandoned on private land, such as a rural parcel or a closed business, the property owner may also be able to report it to local code enforcement.
If you own the vehicle and simply want it gone, our junk car removal service is the faster route.
Where we provide private property impound
Every day in San Jacinto, and on request in Hemet, Valle Vista, East Hemet, Winchester, Homeland, Nuevo, Menifee, Perris, Moreno Valley, Beaumont, Banning, Idyllwild.
