The towing industry in Miami-Dade County is licensed and regulated by the Consumer Services Department.

Licensing and regulatory program covers among other things, vehicle safety standards, insurance requirements, and background checks on business owners.

The program encompasses several consumer protection measures:

• Establish maximum towing rates 
    
• Prohibit cash only policies,
    
• Require the express authorization of a property owner or agent prior to towing a vehicle,
   
• Require Tow-Away Zone signs to be prominently posted
   
• Provide additional protections for consumers who have been towed

Unless you are parking at a single-family residence you should look for a sign using the phrase ‘Tow-Away Zone.’ This sign means that if you are parked there without authorization, your vehicle may be towed without your permission.

The sign must display the name and telephone number of the towing company as well as the address of its storage facility. This should help in the process of recovering your vehicle.

If your vehicle is towed from a tow-way zone, the towing company must report this action to the Miami-Dade Police Department within 30-minutes of the tow. You may call your local police station to find out where your vehicle is being stored and how you can retrieve it.

To avoid putting yourself at risk be mindful of where you park.

However, if you believe your vehicle was towed improperly or that your consumer rights were violated, you should contact the Miami-Dade County Consumer Mediation Center at 305-375-3677 for assistance or by e-mail at consumer@miamidade.gov.

Note*: To download and fill out a permit and/or license application, visit the permits  page and view a listing of permits and licenses separated by division.

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CSD Regulates Towing