Wrongful Tows in Clark County: How to Dispute an Unfair Impoundment

Not every tow is a lawful tow. In Clark County, wrongful impoundments — where a vehicle is towed without proper authorization or in violation of Nevada law — are more common than most people realize. The good news: Nevada gives vehicle owners clear rights and a process to fight back.

What Makes a Tow “Wrongful”?

A private property tow is considered wrongful in Nevada when:

• Required signage was absent, inadequate, or not meeting NRS 706.4477 specifications
• The vehicle was not actually parked in violation of any posted restriction
• The property owner or authorized agent did not personally authorize the specific tow
• The vehicle belongs to a person with a disability and was towed from a compliant accessible space
• The tow company failed to notify Metro within 1 hour as required by law

Gather Evidence Immediately

As soon as you discover your vehicle was towed, document everything:

• Photograph the exact parking spot and all surrounding signage
• Note the time and date you parked and the time you discovered the tow
• Get a copy of any parking receipt, meter receipt, or permission documentation
• Screenshot the parking lot on Google Street View for historical reference

This evidence is far harder to collect after the fact. Do it before you leave the scene.

The Nevada Wrongful Tow Hearing Process

Under NRS 706.4477, a vehicle owner who believes their car was wrongfully towed can request a hearing before a magistrate within 10 days of the tow. The hearing is typically held quickly (within days of the request) and the towing company bears the burden of proving the tow was lawful.

If the magistrate rules in your favor, the towing company must refund all fees paid, including storage charges that accrued while you waited for the hearing. They may also be liable for costs.

Filing a Complaint with the NTA

Regardless of whether you pursue a hearing, file a complaint with the Nevada Transportation Authority if you believe a towing company acted improperly. The NTA can suspend or revoke operating licenses for repeated violations, which helps protect future consumers.

Wrongful tows are a real problem in Las Vegas. Know your rights, document everything, and don’t let a towing company profit from an unlawful impoundment.