Texas gives landlords and property managers a defined path to remove unauthorized vehicles from private property under Occupations Code 2308.301. The signage has to be right, the written agreement has to be in place, and the notice to the vehicle owner has to actually go out. Done right, the property owner is protected. Done wrong, the property owner can be on the hook. Call (469) 902-4411 when you’re ready to authorize a removal, and we’ll connect you with a licensed Dallas-area operator who knows the local process.
The signage has to meet the spec
Occupations Code 2308.301 sets a specific standard for the sign that authorizes non-consent towing on private property. The sign has to be at least 18 inches by 24 inches, show the international towing symbol, sit with its bottom edge between 5 and 8 feet off the ground, and be posted at every entrance or at 25-foot intervals along the property line. It must state who may park, that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense, the enforcement hours, and a 24-hour phone number with an area code.
If your signs do not meet that spec, the property owner is taking on civil liability for the tow. A driver who challenges the removal in court can point to a noncompliant sign and recover damages. That’s why operators who do this work ask to see the signs before they roll a truck.
The written agreement has to exist
Before a licensed operator can remove a vehicle from your property, you need a written agreement with that operator naming the property and setting out the terms. The operator files the agreement with the local police agency so that police have a record of who is authorized to remove vehicles from your address. Without that paperwork, a tow off your lot can be treated as an unauthorized tow, even if the sign on the curb is perfect.
Notice to the vehicle owner is required
Once the operator arrives and prepares to remove an unauthorized vehicle, the operator has to leave a written notice on or attached to the vehicle stating where it was taken, the reason for the removal, and the procedures for getting it back. Texas treats this notice as part of the legal chain. Skip it and the operator is exposed.
If your parking situation is recurring, with the same cars showing up unauthorized night after night, the right move is usually a documented pattern of warnings plus a clear sign. That trail of warnings gives the operator what they need if the owner of the removed vehicle later disputes the tow.
Putting it together for a single removal
For a one-time removal, you need three things in place:
A sign that meets the 2308.301 spec, already posted at the property before the vehicle in question was parked there.
A written agreement with a licensed operator, with that agreement on file at the local police agency.
An unauthorized vehicle parked in violation of the posted rules.
Once those three are in order, the operator can legally remove the vehicle. The owner of the removed vehicle pays the tow and any storage fees when they pick the car up, and the operator cannot charge them above the TDLR-capped rates: $272 for the tow, $22.85 per day for storage, $50 for notification, under TDLR rules.
Frequently asked questions
Does my sign have to be lit at night? Occupations Code 2308.301 requires the sign be visible at all relevant hours. Reflective material or a light source aimed at the sign is the common way Dallas-area operators meet that standard.
Can I just call a tow truck without the written agreement? Doing so exposes you, the property owner, to civil liability for an unauthorized tow. The agreement is what makes the operator’s action authorized under Texas law.
What if the owner of the car says they had permission to park there? That’s a dispute between the property owner and the vehicle owner, not a tow operator issue. Document who had permission to park, and the dates that permission was active.
What about a vehicle that has been on my property for months? A vehicle left on private property for more than 48 hours meets the Transportation Code 683 definition of abandoned, which adds another legal route for removal. Talk to a licensed operator about whether the 48-hour abandonment process is the cleaner option for your situation.
When you’ve got the sign, the agreement, and an unauthorized vehicle on your Dallas property, call (469) 902-4411. We’ll connect you with a licensed operator who can guide you through the rest.