Key Towing Laws in South Carolina
SC Code 56-5-5630
South Carolina code governing non-consensual towing from private property.
Charleston/Columbia Regulations
Major SC cities may have additional local towing ordinances.
Vehicle Release Requirements
Tow yards must allow retrieval during business hours with proper documentation.
Abandoned Vehicle Process
SC has specific procedures for handling abandoned and unclaimed vehicles.
Notification & Signage Requirements
Police Notification
A tow company that tows a car without the owner's knowledge must notify the city police (or county sheriff) immediately; with no notice within one hour it may charge nothing. Not required for police-directed tows (S.C. Code 56-5-2525).
Signage Requirements
On commercial-use property, the owner must post a notice prohibiting parking in a conspicuous place on the property's borders near each entrance; proof of the posting counts as conclusive notice to the driver (S.C. Code 16-11-760(A)).
Your Rights in South Carolina
- Right to notice of your car's location by certified or registered mail within five business days after the company identifies the owner (S.C. Code 29-15-10(B))
- Right to retrieve your car during the company's normal business hours (it need not release it after hours) (S.C. Code 56-5-2525(D))
- Right to one chance to remove unattached personal property, on showing your registration, after a police-ordered tow (S.C. Code 56-5-5635(F))
- Right to written receipt
- Right to file complaints with Dept. of Consumer Affairs
How to File a Complaint in South Carolina
Complaint Agency
If you believe you were unfairly towed or overcharged, file a complaint with:
South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
Visit WebsiteSteps to File a Complaint:
- Document everything: take photos of signage, your parking location, vehicle condition, and all receipts.
- Note the date, time, tow company name, driver name, and truck number if available.
- To file a formal complaint, contact the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
- Consider filing in small claims court if you believe you are owed money for an illegal or improper tow.
Official Sources & Legal References
The fees and rules on this page are drawn from these primary sources - official statutes, administrative codes, and state regulator schedules. We link them so you can verify every figure yourself.
Regulated by South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
Last reviewed by Daniel Richardson against South Carolina's official state statutes and regulator schedules.
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