Private Property Towing Laws in Alabama

Last Updated: June 2026 — This guide covers current Alabama private property towing law as it applies to Birmingham-area property managers, HOAs, and apartment complexes.

Can You Legally Tow a Vehicle From Private Property in Alabama?

Yes — property owners and authorized property managers in Alabama have the legal right to have unauthorized vehicles towed from their property at the vehicle owner's expense. This right is established under Alabama Code and applies to apartment complexes, commercial properties, HOAs, shopping centers, and any other privately owned parking areas.

The key requirement is that the towing must be done properly: correct signage must be posted, a licensed towing operator must perform the tow, and vehicle owners must be notified and given a way to retrieve their vehicle.

Alabama Signage Requirements for Private Property Towing

Signage is the most common legal issue in private property towing disputes. Alabama law requires that signs be:

• Posted at all entrances to the property — not just one
• Clearly visible during both day and night (adequate lighting or reflective material)
• Large enough to be read from a vehicle (minimum 17" x 22" is a common industry standard)
• Include the text that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense
• Include the name and 24-hour phone number of the towing company
• Include the address where towed vehicles can be retrieved

If any of these sign requirements aren't met, a vehicle owner can potentially dispute the tow and win in small claims court. That's why property managers working with Honeycutt Towing receive guidance on proper sign placement as part of our private property towing program.

What Rights Do Vehicle Owners Have After a Private Property Tow in Alabama?

Vehicle owners have the right to:

• Be told where their vehicle is being held (towing company must notify police within one hour of the tow)
• Retrieve their vehicle at any time — storage yards cannot hold a vehicle "hostage" during business hours only
• Receive an itemized receipt of all charges before paying
• Dispute the tow if proper signage was not in place or if the tow was unlawful
• Retrieve personal belongings from a towed vehicle even if they cannot pay the retrieval fees

How Property Managers Set Up a Legal Towing Program in Birmingham

The most effective private property towing programs in Birmingham combine clear signage, a consistent enforcement policy, and a reliable towing company relationship. Here's how Honeycutt Towing structures it for our property management clients:

1. Sign audit — we review your current signage and flag any placement or content gaps before enforcement begins
2. Portal setup — your authorized managers get access to our digital tow request portal, which documents every request with photos and timestamps
3. Documented authorization — every tow request generates a signed digital authorization, protecting you legally
4. VIN and plate logging — all towed vehicles are logged with plate and VIN for your records
5. No cost to you — our private property towing service is free to property managers. Vehicle owners are responsible for retrieval

Frequently Asked Questions — Alabama Private Property Towing Law

Is private property towing legal in Alabama?

Yes. Property owners may have unauthorized vehicles removed at the vehicle owner's expense, provided signage requirements are met and the towing company is licensed.

What signage is required?

Signs must be at all entrances, clearly visible, include the towing company name and 24-hour number, and state that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at owner's expense.

Can a vehicle owner dispute a private property tow?

Yes — if proper signage was absent, the towing company was unlicensed, or the vehicle was towed from a public street rather than private property. Disputes typically go to small claims court.

How do I set up private property towing at my apartment complex?

Call Honeycutt Towing at 877-729-6639 or visit our property management portal page to get started. We serve property managers throughout Birmingham and Jefferson County.