Police Menu

Impound Unit FAQ

Q:   My vehicle has been impounded.  How do I get it back? 

A: To retrieve your vehicle, visit the Impound Lot located at 3425 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45225. 

Hours of Operation: 

  • Monday-Friday: Open 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM 

  • Saturday: Open 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

  • Sunday: CLOSED 

After-Hours Retrieval: 

  • You can retrieve your vehicle or personal items after regular hours by calling (513) 756-1212, but after-hours fees will apply. These fees are charged to cover the cost of recalling employees, as permitted by Ohio Revised Code Sections 4513.69 and 4921.25. 

Sunday Retrieval Option: 

  • You can call (513) 756-1212 between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM on Sundays to retrieve your vehicle with after-hours fees. 

Need more information? 

  • Call the Impound Lot at (513) 352-6370 for details about your towed vehicle. 

Q:   How much will it cost to get my car out? 

A: Here are the basic charges for impoundment (excluding sales tax):  

  • Towing: $190 

  • Storage: $25 per day, plus tax. Note: Storage fees do not accrue on Sundays. 

  • Processing Fee: $25 (A certified letter fee will be mailed to the registered owner). 

  • Extended Storage Fee: $75 plus tax (Fee is added if the vehicle is not retrieved within 5 days of mailing the certified letter). 

Special Fees (if applicable): 

  • Special fees include Heavy Duty Wrecker Tow Fee, Additional Tow Time Fee, Inspection Fee, and Administration License Suspension Fee (ALS). 

  • For an accurate total, contact the Impound Lot directly, as fees may vary depending on your specific situation. 

Q:   What do I need to bring to get my car out of Impound? 

A: To retrieve your vehicle, make sure to bring the following: 

  1.  Proof of Ownership (one of the following):
    • Vehicle Registration 
    • Vehicle Title 
    • Memorandum Title
  2. Photo ID 
  3. Payment
    • Cash or credit card are required to cover the fees. 
  4. Proof of Payment for Delinquent Tickets (if applicable): 
  5. Additional Documentation (if applicable): 

    • For ALS impound, a vehicle release order from the court is required. 

    • For a CMC 759 impound, proof of payment for the civil bond is required. 

  6. A Tow (For Unregistered Vehicles): 

    • If the vehicle does not have valid license plates or registration stickers, it must be towed from the lot. 

Q: What forms of payment do you accept? 

A:  The Impound Lot accepts the following payment methods: 

  • Cash 

  • Credit Cards: VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express 

Checks are NOT accepted. 

Q:   Can I pay with a credit card online or over the phone? 

A:  No, payments are only accepted in person at the Impound Lot. The only person whose name is on the credit card may use it for payment, and they must provide a valid photo ID for verification. 

Q:   Can someone other than the registered owner retrieve my vehicle from the Impound  Lot? 

A:  Someone other than the registered owner may retrieve your vehicle, but they must have proper documentation. 

  • Individuals must have a signed, notarized statement from the registered owner authorizing the release of the vehicle to the named individual. 

For specific questions or additional information, contact Impound Lot Personnel at (513) 352-6373 or (513) 352-6370. 

Q:   Can I make a partial payment, or make arrangements for a payment plan for my fees? 

A:  No, payment must be made in full to release your vehicle. 

Q:   How can I dispute the tow and request a refund of my fees? 

A:  To dispute the tow and request a refund, claim forms are available at the Impound Lot.  You must pay all towing and storage fees before submitting a claim for investigation. 

After the claim form is completed, an investigation is conducted to determine the reason for the tow. If the vehicle is towed in accordance with Police Department Policies and Procedures, you will not be reimbursed.

For tows related to parking violations, the parking citation must be contested with the Office of Administrative Hearings. If the hearing officer determines that no parking violation occurred, the CPD Impound Unit will initiate a reimbursement. If the hearing officer determines a parking violation did occur, and the vehicle was towed in compliance with the Police Department Policies and Procedures, you will not be reimbursed.

Q:   How long do you keep a vehicle before it is auctioned or salvaged? 

A:  According to Cincinnati Municipal Code 513-5(7): If a vehicle is not claimed or released within 20 days of impoundment, it may be sold at a public auction. 

Q:   When and where are the public auctions held? 

A:  Public auctions are held at the Impound Lot on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. 

  • Public Viewings are held the Friday before the action, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. 

  • Registration starts on the day of the auction at 9:00 AM. Bid cards will be issued from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM. 

  • Auction begins at 9:30 AM. There is no further admittance once the auction begins. 

For auction rules and list of vehicles, visit: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/police/special-events-permits-regulations-auctions/property-auto-auctions/. 

Q:   If I am unable to pay my fees, can I remove my personal property from the vehicle before it is sold or salvaged? 

A:  Yes, the vehicle owner, or designated individual, can retrieve emergency items from their vehicle. The designated individual must have a notarized letter from the owner authorizing them to remove property. 

Property Retrieval Hours: 

  • Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 

Important Restrictions: 

No electronics or vehicle parts can be removed from the vehicle. License plates can be removed by the owner if the title is surrendered to the Cincinnati Police Department. 

Q:   Why was my vehicle towed? 

A:  Vehicles are usually towed for reasons such as traffic violations, parking offenses, or criminal activity. 

For more details, contact Impound Lot Personnel at (513) 352-673 or (513) 352-6370. You will need to provide the vehicle’s license plate number, VIN, or registered owner’s name. 

You can also check the reason your vehicle was towed online at: https://search.autoreturn.com/.