What is the difference if my vehicle was stored or impounded?

If your vehicle is towed and stored, you will not require a release by the Police Department to retrieve your vehicle. You may proceed directly to the towing company to retrieve your vehicle.

If your vehicle is towed and impounded, you will require a release from the Police Department before proceeding to the towing company to retrieve your vehicle. An impounded vehicle may require you to show documentation at the police department such as proof of payment for parking citations or current registration, proof of a valid driver license, or a release from detectives or another police agency if the vehicle is held as evidence.

Who can obtain a release and/or retrieve my stored or impounded vehicle?

• You must be the registered owner of the vehicle or show proof of ownership of the vehicle to obtain the release of the vehicle. Note: a bill of sale alone is not sufficient proof of ownership. You should show the DMV vehicle title.
• You must have a valid driver license in your possession to obtain the release of your vehicle or sufficient valid licensed drivers with you to retrieve the vehicle.

What if I am unable to go to the police station to obtain a release and retrieve my vehicle? Do I have other options?

• The registered owner of the vehicle may secure the release of the vehicle to another person by sending that person with a notarized letter authorizing the release to them.
• The person who is authorized to receive the vehicle must have a valid driver license in their possession.

Stored Vehicles

How do I retrieve my towed and stored vehicle?

• If your vehicle is towed and stored by Redondo Beach Police or Parking Enforcement:  

1. You will not require a release document from the Redondo Beach Police Department.
2. You must pay the towing and storage fees at Frank Scotto Towing.
3. You may retrieve your vehicle directly from official police towing company, Frank Scotto Towing.

 

Where do I go to retrieve my towed and stored vehicle?

Frank Scotto Towing is located at 1750 W. 223rd Street, Torrance, Ca 90501
• You may telephone Frank Scotto Towing before going there at (310) 787-0208 to obtain information about the release of the vehicle.

What are the fees to retrieve my towed and stored vehicle?

• The fees to retrieve your towed and stored vehicle are determined by the City and the tow company and are paid to Frank Scotto Towing.
• The tow costs and daily storage fees are approved by City Council.

Where do I retrieve my vehicle if it was towed and stored from private property by the property owner?

• If your vehicle was towed and stored from private property:

1. You should refer to the posted sign on the property to determine the company that towed your vehicle, or
2. The Redondo Beach Police Department will have the information after the tow company reports it to us.
3. A private property owner may commission any tow company to retrieve vehicles from their property if posted per Vehicle Code 22658(a).
4. The fees to retrieve your vehicle are determined by each privately contracted tow company, and you should contact them for information.

Impounded Vehicles

How do I retrieve my impounded vehicle?

• If your vehicle is towed and impounded by a Redondo Beach police officer or parking enforcement officer:

1. You will need a release document from the Redondo Beach Police Department Records Unit to retrieve your vehicle from the tow company.
2. You must obtain the required documentation, proof of payment or authorization for release of your vehicle depending on the reasons for the impound. This may include:
   • Proof of payment for parking citations
   • Proof of current vehicle registration from the DMV
   • Proof of a valid driver license
   • Authorization for the release of your vehicle from a detective or other law enforcement agency if your vehicle is being held as evidence.

• If your vehicle is towed and impounded for unpaid parking citations:

1. You must provide proof of payment on all outstanding parking citations.
   • If the citations were issued by multiple agencies, you may have to pay the delinquent citations at the Department of Motor Vehicles or at each agency.
   • You must pay for all unpaid Redondo Beach parking citations that have been issued to other vehicles owned by you.
2. You must present current registration or a temporary registration permit issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
3. The registered owner of the vehicle must present a valid driver license at the Redondo Beach Police Department Records Unit.

• If your vehicle is towed and impounded for expired DMV registration or for an unlicensed driver that is not subject to a thirty day impound:
• This may occur when a driver has an expired license, is driving out of classification or for other violations defined in the Vehicle Code.

1. You must present current registration or a temporary registration permit issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
2. The registered owner of the vehicle must present a valid driver license at the Redondo Beach Police Department Records Unit.

• If your vehicle is towed and impounded for an unlicensed driver and is subject to a thirty day impound:

1. Your vehicle may be impounded at your expense for thirty calendar days.
2. A thirty day impound may occur when the driver of the vehicle was cited or arrested for driving with a suspended license, was never issued a driver license, or for other violations defined in the Vehicle Code.
3. The registered owner of the impounded vehicle has the right to request a hearing to contest the impounding of the vehicle per Vehicle Code 22852.
4. To contest a thirty day impound you must:
   • Complete a thirty day impound Request for Administrative Hearing Request Form obtained from the Records Unit.
   • Pay a sixty-eight ($68) dollar fee at the City of Redondo Beach Financial Services Cashier window located at the Redondo Beach City Hall, 415 Diamond Street, Door E during City Hall business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Note that City Hall is closed every other Friday.)
   • Submit your completed Request for Administrative Hearing Request Form and the $68 City Hall receipt in person at the Records Unit (401 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, Ca 90277).
   • Schedule your hearing with the Traffic Sergeant by calling (310) 379-2477 extension 12359. In some cases the hearing may be heard by a separate hearing officer.
   • The date of your hearing will depend on the type of thirty day impound and availability of the hearing officer, but usually occurs within five business days.
   • Contact the Records Unit at (310) 379-2477 x 1-2305 if you have additional questions.
   • When you have complied with all document requirements and paid the City of Redondo Beach fees, you may retrieve your vehicle from the official police towing company, Frank Scotto Towing. NOTE: You must pay all towing and storage fees separately at Frank Scotto Towing.

What are the fees to retrieve my towed and impounded vehicle that are charged by the City of Redondo Beach?

• The fees to retrieve your towed and impounded vehicle charged by the City of Redondo Beach are:

1. $120 for any vehicle that is impounded, and an additional charge for thirty day holds and DUI Surcharge
2. $325 for an impound for thirty day hold and for a DUI Surcharge
3. Towing and storage costs charged by the towing company are in addition to these charges by the City of Redondo Beach.

Where do I go to retrieve my towed and impounded vehicle?

• Frank Scotto Towing is located at 1750 W. 223rd Street, Torrance, Ca 90501
• You may telephone Frank Scotto Towing before going there at (310) 787-0208 to obtain information about towing and storage fees and the release of the vehicle.
• Important note: Do not go to Frank Scotto Towing to retrieve an impounded vehicle if you have not first obtained a release from the Redondo Beach Police Department.
• If you are uncertain if your vehicle was impounded or stored, call Frank Scotto Towing or the Police Department Records Unit before going to Frank Scotto Towing.

What are the additional fees to retrieve my towed and impounded vehicle from the towing company?

• The fees to retrieve your towed and impounded vehicle from Frank Scotto Towing are separate from the fees paid to the City.
• These will include an original towing fee and daily storage fees determined by and paid to Frank Scotto Towing.
• The towing fees and daily storage fees are approved by City Council.