Improper Tow Under Minneapolis Code §478.190 / Minn. Stat. §168B
Tows in Minneapolis are governed by Minneapolis Code Ch. 478 and Minn. Stat. Ch. 168B (Abandoned Motor Vehicles / Impoundment). For a tow to be lawful: (1) the underlying parking violation must be valid; (2) the towing company must be licensed and follow §168B.04 notice procedures; (3) notice of impound and right to hearing must be provided within 5 days under §168B.06; (4) storage fees must be reasonable and posted. Common defects: tow without valid violation, tow before any expiration, no impound notice mailed, excessive storage charges, vehicle towed from private property without proper signage under Minn. Stat. §168B.035. A successful challenge can recover tow fees, storage fees, and the underlying ticket.
Legal basis
Minn. Stat. §§168B.04, 168B.06, 168B.035, 168B.07; Minneapolis Code Ch. 478
Sample appeal wording
[DATE] Minneapolis Impound Lot Hearing Officer 51 Colfax Ave N, Minneapolis MN 55405 Re: Tow/Impound Challenge — Vehicle [PLATE], Impound #[NUMBER] I hereby request a hearing under Minn. Stat. §168B.06 challenging the tow and impound of my vehicle on [DATE]. Grounds: 1. The underlying parking violation was invalid because [REASON — e.g., posted signage was not visible / I was within paid time / no violation occurred]. 2. The City failed to provide written notice of impound within 5 days as required by §168B.04 subd. 2 (notice received on [DATE], [X] days after tow). 3. The towing company [NAME] is [not licensed / did not follow §168B.035 private-property tow signage requirements]. 4. Storage charges of $[X]/day exceed a reasonable rate under §168B.07. I request: (a) dismissal of the underlying citation; (b) refund of tow fee $[X]; (c) refund of storage fees $[X]; (d) release of any administrative hold on my registration. [NAME] [CONTACT]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
Beat It writes this argument automatically
Scan your PCN — our AI checks if this ground applies to your specific ticket, drafts a properly-cited appeal letter, and submits it to the council on your behalf. Only pay if you win.
Scan my ticketSources
- Minn. Stat. Ch. 168B (revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/168B)
- Minneapolis Code of Ordinances Ch. 478
- Minneapolis Impound Lot — minneapolismn.gov