{"id":1396,"date":"2026-07-01T07:10:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T07:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skylinetowingservice.com\/blog\/can-you-tow-a-car-from-private-property\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T03:58:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T03:58:37","slug":"can-you-tow-a-car-from-private-property","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skylinetowingservice.com\/blog\/can-you-tow-a-car-from-private-property\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Tow A Car From Private Property In Detroit Legally?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You walk out to your parking lot or driveway and there it is, a car that doesn’t belong there. Maybe it’s been sitting for days. Maybe it’s blocking access to your business. Either way, you want it gone. So can you tow a car from private property<\/strong> in Detroit without getting yourself into legal trouble? The short answer is yes, but there are specific rules you need to follow.<\/p>\n

Michigan law does allow property owners to have unauthorized vehicles removed<\/strong>, but the process isn’t as simple as calling the first tow truck you find. There are notice requirements, signage rules, and municipal regulations that vary depending on where you are in Metro Detroit<\/strong>. Skip a step, and you could end up liable for damages or face a dispute with the vehicle’s owner.<\/p>\n

At Skyline Towing, headquartered at 6450 E Hancock St, Detroit, MI 48207<\/strong>, we handle private property towing across Detroit, Dearborn, Southfield, Taylor, Livonia, and surrounding areas every single day. This article breaks down exactly what the law requires, what your rights are as a property owner<\/strong>, and how the process actually works from start to finish.<\/p>\n

What private property towing means in Detroit<\/h2>\n

Private property towing in Detroit refers to the legal removal of an unauthorized vehicle<\/strong> from land you own or manage, without the vehicle owner’s consent. Michigan law, specifically MCL 257.252a through 252g<\/strong>, gives property owners the authority to have vehicles towed at the owner’s expense when those vehicles are parked without permission. This applies to everything from apartment complexes off East Jefferson Avenue to commercial parking lots near the Detroit Medical Center on John R Street.<\/p>\n

Understanding these statutes before you act is what separates a straightforward tow from a costly legal dispute.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The question of can you tow a car from private property<\/strong> comes up constantly for business owners, landlords, and homeowners<\/strong> across Metro Detroit. A strip mall in Dearborn with overnight parking issues, a church lot in Southfield taken over during Tigers game days, or a residential driveway in Livonia blocked by a neighbor’s guest. These are real scenarios that happen regularly, and they all fall under the same state framework.<\/p>\n

How Detroit’s Rules Differ from Surrounding Cities<\/h3>\n

Detroit, Dearborn, and Southfield<\/strong> each layer their own municipal requirements on top of Michigan state law. In Detroit, private property towing companies must register with the city and follow specific fee caps and storage rules<\/strong> set by the Board of Police Commissioners. Dearborn and Southfield may require notification to local police within a set window of time after a vehicle is removed.<\/p>\n

These local layers matter more than most people realize<\/strong>. If you hire a tow company that isn’t registered with the City of Detroit<\/strong> or fails to notify the right authorities after the tow, the vehicle owner can challenge the removal and potentially hold you liable for all impound fees. Always confirm that the company you call operates within the city’s licensed network before you authorize anything.<\/p>\n

When you can tow and when you cannot<\/h2>\n

Michigan law gives you the right to remove a vehicle from your property, but clear conditions must be met<\/strong> before that tow is legal. Knowing the difference<\/strong> between a justified removal and an improper one protects you from liability and keeps the entire process clean.<\/p>\n

When a Tow Is Justified<\/h3>\n

You can legally have a vehicle removed when it is parked without your permission<\/strong> on property you own or manage<\/strong>. Common situations that qualify include:<\/p>\n

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