The towing and administrative fee for passenger vehicles is $453.75 (more for larger vehicles). The first four hours of storage beginning from the time of tow is free. After this first 4 hours, a storage fee of $54.50 is charged. If the vehicle is in storage after this point, storage charges continue to accrue as follows:

After the first 24 hours from time of tow, a storage fee of $63.50 is charged. Thereafter, a storage fee of $63.50 is charged every day at midnight . In some cases, this midnight increase may happen shortly after the first 24 hour increase. See California Civil Code section 3068(c)(3). Here is an example of how these fees might be applied:

Day 1 (day of tow): Vehicle towed at 10 p.m. No storage charge until 2 a.m.

4 hours later: $54.50 charged if vehicle not retrieved before 2 a.m.

24 hours later ("Day 2"): $63.50 charged if vehicle is not retrieved before10 p.m.

Midnight, (which begins "Day 3"): At midnight , 2 hours after first $63.50 charge, additional $63.50 charge will be added

Each subsequent calendar day: $63.50 charge per day

Note that these fees are for most vehicles. Large vehicle towing and storage charges are higher. There may also be a lien fee and a dolly fee on the vehicle if it required special handling during the tow. For further information on the laws governing towing and storage fees, please refer to CaliforniaVehicle Codes 22851.6, 22851.3, and California Civil Code 3067-3074.

A $26.00 transfer fee is charged for moving a vehicle from the short-term lot to the long-term lot. If you have five or more outstanding citations they must be paid in full, including any late penalties. Community service is not an option in lieu of payment once your vehicle has been booted or towed. AutoReturn accepts cash, ATM cards, and most major credit cards (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa). You may choose to come to SFMTA's Customer Service Center first (11 South Van Ness Avenue) to pay the citation amount, and we accept cash, money orders, cashiers checks, travelers checks, ATM cards, Mastercard and Visa (SFMTA accepts American Express payments made over the phone, but not for in-person window payments). While you can pay your citations at AutoReturn, you cannot pay your towing fees at SFMTA.

This section applies only to vehicles towed by SFMTA. For SFPD tows, see below.

If you want to protest the towing of your vehicle, you may request a tow hearing by calling 415.701.5402 or by going to the Hearing Division, 11 South Van Ness Avenue, Monday- Friday, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

If your vehicle is valued as less than five hundred dollars ($500), you must request a hearing within 10 calendar days from the date of the tow. If your vehicle is valued at five hundred dollars ($500) or more, you must request a hearing within 30 calendar days from the date of the tow. SFMTA advises you, however, to request a hearing (by calling or coming in) immediately. If you cannot afford to get your car out of storage, you may request a hearing to be held within 48 hours of your request (excluding weekends and holidays). If you choose to leave your vehicle in storage and you do not prevail at the tow hearing, you will be responsible for all storage fees starting from the date the vehicle was first towed. Consequently SFMTA ADVISES YOU TO GET YOUR VEHICLE OUT OF STORAGE IMMEDIATELY. In making a decision at a tow hearing, the hearing officer only determines if there are reasonable grounds for the tow.

MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

If you call the tow hearing line, be prepared to leave the following information:

• Your name; daytime telephone number; date of the tow; license plate number & state of registration; make & color of the vehicle; whether or not your vehicle is still at AutoReturn; and whether you would like an in-person or mail hearing.

If you opt for a mail hearing, you will need to send a letter stating why you believe the tow fees should be refunded. Mail to: Tow Hearing Requests, 11 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103. Submit any evidence you wish to be considered. A decision will be returned by mail. Those choosing an in-person hearing will be contacted to schedule a hearing time.

Go to Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant Street, Room 154 between 9am and 3pm, Monday through Friday, or call (415) 553-1619 to hear a recorded message about the Hearing process.

If your vehicle's registration has expired, you will not be able to retrieve your vehicle until you go to the Department of Motor Vehicles, register your vehicle, and bring the appropriate documents to AutoReturn.

If your vehicle was towed because the driver was unlicensed or had a suspended or revoked license, you will need to bring the vehicle's current registration, a valid California driver's license, and $194 (cash only) to the San Francisco Police Department's S.T.O.P. program office, 850 Bryant Street, Room 154, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. SFPD has the authority to impound your vehicle for thirty (30) days.