⚡ Quick Answer
If your car was impounded in Ottawa, start by finding which impound lot holds your vehicle. Police impound? Call Ottawa Police at (613) 236-1222 ext. 2350. City by-law tow? Call 3-1-1. Private property tow? Contact the property owner or business. You will need your driver’s licence, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and payment for towing and storage fees to get your vehicle released.
Need a tow from the impound lot? Call (613) 295-2264 for fast pickup anywhere in Ottawa.
Discovering that your car has been towed and taken to an impound lot Ottawa drivers dread is one of the most frustrating experiences on the road. Whether it happened because of a parking violation, a by-law infraction during a snow ban, a police stop for a driving offence, or because you parked on private property — you need to know exactly how to get your vehicle back, what it will cost, and how fast you can make it happen.
This guide covers everything you need to know about every impound lot Ottawa uses, including how to locate your towed vehicle, the documents you will need, the fees you should expect, and what happens if you cannot retrieve your car right away. If you need a 24-hour tow truck to move your vehicle after it is released, 613 Towing is available around the clock across Ottawa.
Why Was Your Car Impounded in Ottawa?
Before you can get your car back, you need to understand why it was towed and who authorized the tow. This determines where your vehicle is being held and what you need to do to retrieve it. In Ottawa, there are three main authorities that can have your vehicle towed and impounded:
💡 Not Sure Who Towed Your Car? Ottawa Police advise: first check the streets near where you parked (it may have been moved during snow clearing). Then call 3-1-1 to check for by-law tows. If the City did not tow it, contact the property owner if it was on private land. If you still cannot find it, call Ottawa Police at (613) 236-1222 ext. 7300 to file a stolen vehicle report.
Ottawa Impound Lot Locations & Contact Info
The impound lot where your vehicle is held depends on which authority ordered the tow. Ottawa Police work with contracted tow companies that maintain their own storage yards. City by-law tows go to municipal lots. Here is how to find your car at any impound lot Ottawa Police or by-law services use:
The Ottawa Police Impounded Vehicles Section (IVS) oversees all police-ordered impoundments. Over 4,300 vehicles are impounded by Ottawa Police each year, according to their official website. The towing itself is handled by contracted tow companies, and your vehicle will be stored at their facility — not at a police station.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Car Out of Impound in Ottawa
Follow these steps to retrieve your vehicle from an impound lot in Ottawa as quickly as possible and avoid racking up additional daily storage fees:
Identify Who Towed Your Vehicle
Determine if it was Ottawa Police, City by-law, or a private property owner (see section above). This dictates where to go and what process to follow.
Contact the Impound Lot
Call the appropriate number to confirm your vehicle’s location, find out the exact fees, check what documents you need, and confirm the lot’s operating hours. Do this within 24–48 hours to keep storage costs down.
Resolve Any Legal Issues First
If your vehicle was impounded by police (for stunt driving, impaired driving, or a suspended licence), you must wait until the mandatory impoundment period expires (7 days or 45 days in Ontario depending on the offence). You may also need to resolve outstanding fines or licence suspensions before the vehicle can be released.
Gather Your Documents
Bring your valid driver’s licence, vehicle ownership/registration (original — not a photo), proof of insurance (pink card), and a method of payment. If someone else is picking up the car, they need a signed authorization letter from you plus a copy of your ID.
Pay the Fees & Retrieve Your Vehicle
At the impound lot, present your documents and pay all towing and storage fees. If you have a valid licence, you can drive the vehicle home. If your licence is suspended, you will need someone with a valid licence to drive — or call 613 Towing to have the vehicle towed to your home.
Impound Lot Fees in Ottawa: How Much Will It Cost?
The total cost to get your car impounded in Ottawa back depends on the reason for impoundment, how long it has been stored, and which tow company holds your vehicle. Ontario does not set standard impound rates — each tow operator sets their own fees within police-approved guidelines. Here is what to budget for:
⚠️ Cost Warning: For a 7-day police impoundment in Ontario, the total cost (towing + 7 days of storage + admin fees) can easily reach $700 – $1,200 or more. A 14-day impoundment for stunt driving can exceed $1,500. Retrieve your vehicle as soon as legally permitted to minimize storage costs — every extra day adds $40–$80 to your bill.
For a detailed breakdown of general towing rates in Ottawa, check our towing FAQ page or read our comprehensive Ottawa towing cost guide.
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Documents You Need to Get Your Car Out of Impound
Missing a document means a wasted trip and another day of storage fees. Before heading to the impound lot in Ottawa, make sure you have everything:
If you do not have a valid licence (for example, if it was seized during a stunt driving charge), you can still retrieve your vehicle — but you cannot drive it. You will need to either bring someone with a valid licence to drive it for you, or arrange a flatbed tow to transport it home.
Mandatory Impoundment Periods in Ontario
If your vehicle was impounded by police for a driving offence in Ottawa, Ontario law mandates minimum impoundment periods. You cannot retrieve your vehicle until this period expires, regardless of how quickly you pay:
For by-law tows (parking violations, snow ban infractions), there is no mandatory hold period — you can pick up your vehicle as soon as you contact the lot and pay the fees. This is the most common type of impoundment Ottawa drivers experience, especially during Ottawa’s winter parking ban season.
What Happens If You Don’t Retrieve Your Impounded Vehicle?
Time is money when your car is sitting in an impound lot. Every day you wait, daily storage fees continue to accumulate. But beyond costs, there are serious consequences if you leave your vehicle too long:
- Storage fees pile up — At $40–$80 per day, a two-week delay could add $560–$1,120 to your total bill
- Lien on your vehicle — The impound lot may place a lien on your car for unpaid storage fees, giving them a legal claim to it
- Vehicle sold or scrapped — After a certain period (varies by lot and circumstance), unclaimed vehicles can be sold at auction or sent to a scrap car removal service
- Additional fines — Outstanding tickets or fines may continue to accumulate interest and penalties
⚠️ Important: If the cost to retrieve your vehicle exceeds its value (for example, an older car with $1,500+ in impound fees), it may be more practical to let the impound lot dispose of it or contact 613 Towing about our scrap car removal service to get cash for whatever salvage value remains.
Can You Appeal a Vehicle Impoundment in Ontario?
Yes, in some circumstances you can apply for a refund of impound fees in Ontario. According to the Ontario government, you may be eligible for a fee refund if:
- Your vehicle was stolen at the time it was impounded
- Your driver’s licence was not actually under suspension at the time
- The vehicle was not subject to an ignition interlock condition
To appeal, you will generally need to submit a written request to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation with supporting documentation. Given the complexity involved, consulting with a paralegal or traffic court specialist is recommended if you believe the impoundment was unjustified.
How to Avoid Getting Your Car Impounded in Ottawa
Prevention is always cheaper than paying impound fees. Here are the most practical ways to keep your vehicle out of any impound lot Ottawa has:
❄️ Obey the Winter Parking Ban
Ottawa enforces overnight parking bans from November through April on designated streets. Check our parking ban guide for dates and affected areas.
📋 Pay Parking Tickets Promptly
Accumulated unpaid parking tickets can lead to your vehicle being flagged and towed. Pay fines before they escalate.
🚗 Drive Within the Speed Limit
Driving 40+ km/h over the posted limit triggers an automatic 14-day impoundment and 30-day licence suspension in Ontario.
🍺 Never Drive Impaired
Impaired driving results in immediate vehicle impoundment, licence suspension, criminal charges, and potentially life-changing consequences.
📗 Read Private Lot Signs
Always check for “Unauthorized vehicles will be towed” signs in mall, condo, and office parking lots. These property owners can have your car towed at your expense.
💳 Keep Your Licence Valid
Driving with a suspended or expired licence is an impoundable offence. Renew on time and resolve any outstanding suspensions.
Need a Tow After Your Vehicle Is Released?
Once your vehicle is released from the impound lot, you may not be able to drive it — especially if your licence is still suspended or if the vehicle has been sitting and won’t start. 613 Towing can help with:
- Flatbed towing — Safely transport your vehicle from the impound lot to your home, mechanic, or body shop
- Battery boost service — If the battery died while the vehicle sat in storage, we can jump start it on-site
- Tire change — If tires went flat while sitting in the lot, we can handle it
- General roadside assistance — Whatever you need to get the vehicle moving again
We serve all areas of Ottawa including Kanata, Nepean, Orleans, and Downtown Ottawa. Call (613) 295-2264 any time, day or night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the impound lot in Ottawa?
There is no single impound lot Ottawa uses for all vehicles. Your vehicle’s location depends on who authorized the tow. Police-impounded vehicles go to contracted tow company storage yards. City by-law tows go to municipal lots. Call Ottawa Police at (613) 236-1222 ext. 2350 for police impounds, or call 3-1-1 for by-law tows to find the specific lot holding your vehicle.
How much does it cost to get a car out of impound in Ottawa?
The total cost depends on the towing fee ($150–$300), daily storage fees ($40–$80/day), and any admin or release charges ($50–$100). For a 7-day police impound, expect to pay $700–$1,200 or more. For a by-law tow retrieved the same day, costs may range from $200–$400. Always call the impound lot ahead of time to confirm exact fees.
Can someone else pick up my car from the impound lot?
Yes. If the registered owner cannot go in person, they can authorize someone else by providing a signed authorization letter and a copy of their own ID. The person picking up the vehicle must also present valid government-issued photo ID and a valid driver’s licence if they intend to drive the car off the lot.
How long can a car stay in an impound lot in Ottawa?
There is no set maximum, but daily storage fees will continue to accumulate for as long as the vehicle is there. After a prolonged period (typically 60–90 days), the impound lot may begin the process of selling or scrapping the vehicle to recover their fees. It is always best to retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible.
My car was towed during Ottawa’s winter parking ban. What do I do?
Call 3-1-1 (City of Ottawa) to confirm your vehicle was towed due to the parking ban and to find out which lot it was taken to. Pay any outstanding parking tickets and the towing/storage fees, then pick up your car with your licence, registration, and insurance. For more details, read our full guide on the Ottawa winter parking ban.
Can I get my personal belongings from an impounded vehicle?
In most cases, yes — but it depends on the impound lot’s policy and whether the vehicle is on a police hold. Contact the lot directly and ask about their personal property retrieval procedure. Some lots allow access during business hours, while others may charge an access fee. Police-held vehicles may not allow access until the investigation or impound period is complete.
Will getting my car impounded affect my insurance rates?
It depends on the reason. A by-law parking violation tow typically does not affect insurance directly. However, impoundment for impaired driving, stunt driving, or other criminal offences will very likely increase your premiums significantly — or even result in your insurer dropping your coverage. Contact your insurance broker for details specific to your situation.
What if my car won’t start after being released from impound?
Vehicles that sit for days or weeks in an impound lot often develop dead batteries, flat tires, or other issues. Call 613 Towing at (613) 295-2264 — we offer battery boost service, tire changes, and towing from any impound lot in Ottawa. We can either get your car running on-site or tow it to your home or mechanic.
Does 613 Towing impound vehicles for the City or Ottawa Police?
No. 613 Towing does not tow vehicles from private property or impound vehicles for the City of Ottawa. If your vehicle is missing and you believe it was towed by by-law enforcement, call 3-1-1. However, we do provide towing services to help you move your vehicle after it has been released from any impound lot.
Can I negotiate impound lot fees in Ottawa?
Generally, impound lot fees are not negotiable as they are set according to approved rate schedules. However, if you believe you were wrongfully impounded, you may be able to apply for a refund through the Ontario government. For regular impoundments, your best strategy is to retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to minimize the daily storage charges.
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Note: All prices mentioned in this article are provided for general reference and informational purposes only. These prices are not fixed and may vary depending on facts, market conditions, location, time, availability, or other relevant factors. Actual prices may change without prior notice. Readers are advised to verify details independently before making any decisions.