🚗 Quick Answer — Car Impounded in Ottawa
If your car was impounded in Ottawa, start by calling 311 (for city by-law tows) or Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222 ext. 2350 (for police-ordered impounds). Expect to pay $250–$1,500+ in total fees depending on tow distance, storage duration, and reason for impound. You will need your photo ID, vehicle ownership, insurance, and registration to release the vehicle. Storage fees of $50–$100/day start accumulating immediately, so act fast.
📞 Need towing or storage help? Call (613) 317-3924
Discovering your car has been towed and impounded in Ottawa is stressful. Whether you were parked illegally during a snow removal operation, pulled over by police, or returned to an empty parking spot in the ByWard Market, the first question is always the same: where is my car, and how do I get it back? If your car was impounded in Ottawa, this guide walks you through every step — from locating your vehicle to understanding the fees, gathering the right paperwork, and getting it released as quickly as possible.
At Towing Ottawa, we provide vehicle storage and impound services as well as towing to help you recover your vehicle from other lots. Whether you need a ride from an impound yard, transport to a mechanic after release, or secure storage for your own vehicle, we are here to help — 24/7.
How to Find Your Impounded Car in Ottawa
The first step is figuring out who towed your vehicle. In Ottawa, vehicles are towed by three different authorities, and each has its own process for locating your car:
🏛️ City of Ottawa (By-Law)
Call 311 or 613-580-2400
Handles: street cleaning tows, snow removal, parking violations on city property, expired meters, fire route violations.
👮 Ottawa Police Service
Call 613-236-1222 ext. 2350
Handles: DUI impounds, stunt driving, suspended licence, accident scenes, crime-related seizures.
🏢 Private Property
Contact the property owner
Handles: mall parking lots, private lots, condo visitor spaces. The business or property manager determines the tow company used.
💡 Tip: If you cannot locate your vehicle after calling both 311 and the police, it may have been stolen. File a stolen vehicle report with OPS at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300. Do not assume it was towed without verifying first.
Common Reasons Cars Get Impounded in Ottawa
Understanding why your car was impounded determines how long it will be held and how much you will pay. Here are the most common reasons:
⚠️ Important: For mandatory impound periods (7, 14, or 45 days), the vehicle cannot be released early — even if you pay all fees. The clock starts from the date of impoundment. Storage fees continue to accumulate during this entire period, which is why total costs for stunt driving or DUI impounds often exceed $1,000.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Car Out of Impound in Ottawa?
Impound costs in Ottawa add up fast. Here is a breakdown of the typical fees you can expect:
The key takeaway: every day your car sits in the lot costs money. If your impound is not mandatory (i.e., a parking or by-law tow), retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible. For a full breakdown of towing rates in Ottawa, see our Ottawa towing cost guide.
How to Get Your Car Out of Impound: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to get your vehicle released as quickly and cheaply as possible:
Locate Your Vehicle
Call 311 (city tow), Ottawa Police ext. 2350 (police impound), or the property owner (private lot). Confirm which impound lot your vehicle is at and get the address.
Confirm the Release Date
If it is a mandatory hold (7, 14, or 45 days), you cannot pick up the car until the period ends. For by-law or parking tows, you can retrieve it immediately after paying fees.
Gather Your Documents
You will need: valid photo ID, proof of vehicle ownership (registration), proof of insurance, and payment for all fees. If someone else is picking up for you, they need written authorization from you.
Resolve Any Outstanding Issues
If the impound was due to a suspended licence, unpaid tickets, or lack of insurance, those must be resolved before the vehicle can be released. Check with ServiceOntario or the courts as applicable.
Pay All Fees
Be prepared to pay towing, storage, and admin fees. Most lots accept cash, debit, and credit. Ask for an itemized receipt — you may need it for insurance claims.
Inspect & Drive Away
Before leaving, inspect your vehicle for any damage and check that personal belongings are intact. Take photos. If the car is not drivable, you can arrange a flatbed tow to a mechanic.
Need Help After Your Vehicle Is Released?
We can tow your car from any impound lot to your home, mechanic, or dealer — 24/7.
What Documents Do You Need to Retrieve an Impounded Car?
Arriving at the impound lot without the right documents means a wasted trip. Here is exactly what to bring:
If your insurance was cancelled or your licence was suspended at the time of impound, you will need to reinstate them before the vehicle can be released. Contact your insurer and ServiceOntario to resolve these issues first.
Ottawa Snow Removal Towing: The Most Common Surprise Impound
Every winter, thousands of Ottawa residents wake up to find their street-parked car gone during overnight snow removal operations. The City of Ottawa issues temporary parking bans on specific streets when significant snowfall is expected, and vehicles that are not moved in time get towed.
How to check for parking bans: The City posts winter parking bans on its website and through the Ottawa 311 app. You can also sign up for email or text alerts through the city’s notification system.
Where is your car? Call 311 and provide your licence plate number. The city can tell you which tow company has your vehicle and the lot address.
Typical cost: Snow removal tows usually cost between $150–$350 (tow fee + a few days of storage). The faster you retrieve the car, the less you pay. This is one of the most frustrating — and preventable — reasons cars end up in an impound lot in Ottawa.
Can You Appeal an Ottawa Vehicle Impound?
In some cases, yes. Under Ontario law, you may be able to appeal a vehicle impoundment and potentially receive a refund of towing and storage costs if certain conditions are met:
The vehicle was stolen at the time it was impounded and you reported the theft.
You were not the driver and can prove the vehicle was used without your permission.
The driver’s licence was not actually suspended at the time of the impound (administrative error).
You exercised reasonable efforts to verify the driver had a valid licence before lending them the vehicle.
💡 Note: Only 45-day Criminal Code impounds can be appealed to the Ontario Licence Appeal Tribunal. Seven-day HTA impounds are not appealable. Consult a lawyer if your situation involves criminal charges. This article is not legal advice.
Your Rights Under Ontario’s Towing Laws
Ontario’s Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA), which took effect in January 2024, introduced significant protections for vehicle owners dealing with towing and impound situations:
Right to choose your tow company: You are not obligated to use the tow truck that arrives at the scene. You can call your own preferred provider.
Right to a written estimate: Tow operators must provide cost information before loading your vehicle.
Right to choose your storage facility: You can request your vehicle be stored at a specific lot, not just the tow company’s default yard.
Multiple payment methods required: Tow and storage companies must accept more than one form of payment.
For more on protecting yourself from overcharges during a tow, read our guide on how to avoid tow truck scams in Ottawa. You can also learn more about your rights when getting a tow in Ontario.
Towing & Roadside Services We Offer
Whether you need transport after picking up your car from impound, or you need towing and storage services yourself, Towing Ottawa handles it all:
Frequently Asked Questions: Car Impounded in Ottawa
How do I find out where my car was towed in Ottawa?
Call 311 for city by-law tows (parking violations, snow removal). Call Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222, ext. 2350 for police-ordered impounds. For private property tows, contact the business or property owner directly.
How much does it cost to get a car out of impound in Ottawa?
Expect $250 to $1,500+ depending on the tow fee ($100–$250), daily storage ($50–$100/day), and admin charges ($50–$150). Mandatory 7 or 14-day impounds cost significantly more due to accumulated storage fees.
Can I get my car out of impound early in Ontario?
No, if it is a mandatory impound (7, 14, or 45 days). These hold periods are set by Ontario law and cannot be shortened. For parking or by-law tows without a mandatory hold, you can pick up as soon as you pay the fees.
What happens if I do not pick up my impounded car?
Storage fees continue to accumulate daily. If the vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period, the impound lot may apply to have it deemed abandoned, at which point it can be auctioned or scrapped. You are still liable for all accrued fees.
Can someone else pick up my impounded car for me?
Yes, in most cases. They will need to bring your signed written authorization, a copy of your photo ID and vehicle ownership, plus their own valid photo ID and the payment for all fees.
Does my insurance cover impound fees?
Generally no. Standard auto insurance does not cover towing or storage fees for impounded vehicles. However, if the impound resulted from a covered claim (like a collision), some fees may be reimbursable. Contact your insurer to confirm.
Does getting impounded affect my car insurance rates?
It depends on the reason. A parking violation tow typically does not. However, impounds for DUI, stunt driving, or suspended licence offences can mark you as a high-risk driver and significantly increase your premiums.
Where are the impound lots in Ottawa?
Ottawa has multiple impound lots operated by different tow companies under contract with the police and the city. The specific lot depends on which company towed your vehicle. Call 311 or OPS ext. 2350 to find the exact location.
Can I appeal a vehicle impound in Ontario?
Only 45-day Criminal Code impounds can be appealed. Seven-day HTA impounds are not eligible for appeal. You may receive a refund if the vehicle was stolen or the licence was not actually suspended. Consult a lawyer for your specific case.
My car was towed during a snow storm. What do I do?
Call 311 with your licence plate number. The city will tell you which tow company has your car and the lot address. Retrieve it as soon as possible to minimize storage fees. Sign up for the City of Ottawa’s winter parking ban alerts to avoid this in the future.
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