Can your apartment complex tow your car in Wichita? Yes, if the lot is posted the way city code requires and the lease or the posted rules cover the reason. No police officer has to be there. The property owner calls a tow company, and you pay the tow and storage when you pick the car up.
This page explains the rules in plain language, the most common reasons for a tow, and how to get your car back fast. It is general information, not legal advice.
What the City of Wichita Says
An apartment complex tow in Wichita is a private property tow. The City of Wichita parking laws page sums up the rule in three points:
- A private property owner may call a tow company to remove a vehicle if the lot is properly marked under city code section 11.52.020(27).
- The property owner does not pay for the tow. The vehicle owner pays when picking the vehicle up.
- The City of Wichita is not a party to private tows.
The towing rules themselves are in Chapter 11.99 of the Wichita Municipal Code. State law sits on top of that in K.S.A. 8-1103.
7 Rules That Protect You
1. The lot has to be posted
The city ties the right to tow to a properly marked lot. Walk to the entrance of your complex and read the sign. It should tell you parking is restricted and who tows. Take a photo of it today, before you ever need it.
2. The city caps the price
Kansas law says a city that allows private property towing must set the top rate for the tow and for storage. KSN reported the rates the Wichita City Council approved: $120 for a light tow, $4.70 per mile and $36 per day for storage. Rates can change, so ask the tow company for an itemized bill and compare.
3. The tow has to be reported to police within two hours
K.S.A. 8-1103 requires the city ordinance to make the tow company report the vehicle’s location to local law enforcement within two hours of the tow. That is why calling the police records line can tell you where your car is.
4. You get 48 hours of access to your things
The same statute says the owner of a towed vehicle must have access to personal property in it for 48 hours after the tow, and that property must be released to the owner. See getting your belongings out of a towed car in Kansas.
5. Storage fees need written notice
The tow company has to give the driver, if the driver is there, written notice that storage will be charged. Under K.S.A. 8-1103, a company that skips that notice loses its lien for the storage fee.
6. Parking rules have to be rules you were told about
Under the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, K.S.A. 58-2556, a landlord’s rule is enforceable only if it meets a list of tests. The rule must apply to all tenants fairly. It must be clear enough to tell you what is not allowed. And you must have had notice of it when you signed the rental agreement. A rule added later that changes the deal in a big way needs your written consent.
7. The city will not settle the dispute
Since the city is not a party to a private tow, a dispute is between you, the landlord and the tow company. Start with the office, then the tow company, then small claims court if you have to. Our guide on how to dispute a towing bill in Wichita walks through it.
Common Reasons a Complex Tows
| Reason | What to check |
|---|---|
| No parking permit or sticker | The lease section on permits and how to replace a lost one |
| Parked in a reserved or assigned space | The space number on your lease and the markings on the ground |
| Guest parked in a resident space | Where guests may park and for how long |
| Fire lane or blocked dumpster | Painted curbs and posted signs |
| Car that does not run or has flat tires | Any lease rule on inoperable vehicles |
| Expired tags | Any lease rule that requires current registration |
Can an Apartment Complex Tow Your Car Without Notice?
In most cases, the posted sign is the notice. The city’s summary turns on the lot being properly marked. It does not list a personal warning as a step before a private tow. Many complexes put a warning sticker on the window first, but that is their policy, not something the city page promises. Read your lease to see what your complex agreed to do.
Can an Apartment Complex Tow Your Car for Expired Tags?
It depends on your lease. If the lease or the community rules you signed say every vehicle must have current tags, an expired tag can be a reason. If nothing in your paperwork mentions it, ask the office to show you the rule. Renew the tag either way. An expired tag can also get you a ticket on a public street.
What to Do If Your Car Is Gone
- Read the sign at the entrance. It should name the tow company and give a phone number.
- Call the leasing office. Ask who towed it and why. Write down the name of the person you spoke with.
- Check with police records. If you cannot find the tow company, use the steps in how to find your towed car in Wichita.
- Bring the right papers. Take your current registration, a photo ID and payment. See what you need to get your car out of impound.
- Go quickly. Each day adds storage. A car picked up the same day costs far less than one picked up next week.
- Ask about the payment plan. KSN reported that Wichita’s rules include a payment plan for people who qualify, with an application deadline of five days from the tow. The city’s own page describes the plan for vehicles impounded by police, so call 316-268-4375 and ask if a private tow is covered.
- Keep everything. Save the itemized receipt and photos of the sign and the space. You will need them if you dispute the tow.
More Questions From Wichita Renters
Who pays for an apartment complex tow?
The vehicle owner. The city states that the property owner does not pay for the tow.
Can my apartment complex tow a guest’s car?
Yes, if the guest parked against the posted rules. Tell guests where visitor parking is before they arrive.
Can they tow me from my own assigned space?
Only for a reason your lease or the posted rules cover, such as a vehicle that breaks a rule you agreed to. Ask the office to point to the exact rule.
How long will the tow yard keep my car?
Kansas law lets a tow company sell an unclaimed vehicle after a notice process. Read how long a tow company can keep your car in Kansas.
I manage a complex. Who do I call?
Miller’s handles private property removal for apartment managers and business owners. We follow the current city code on every property tow.
Need Help After a Tow?
If an apartment complex tow left you without a ride, or you need a car moved before it gets towed, call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. We handle towing in Wichita, KS day and night, and you get the price before we hook up.