Pennsylvania’s verified private-property towing sign rule is about posted fees and hours, not a stenciled board size. 73 P.S. §1971 et seq. requires the storage facility to post fees, storage fees, service fees, and hours. This page couldn’t confirm a sign-size spec for Pennsylvania, so it doesn’t publish one.
What 73 P.S. §1971 actually requires
The Towing and Towing Storage Facility Standards Act, 73 P.S. §1971 et seq. (2012), is the statewide private-property statute. The storage facility must post fees, storage fees, service fees, and hours. The tower may not refuse release during posted hours. Payment for services is required. Charges must be itemized in writing. Cash, credit, or an insurer check are the payment forms the Act provides.
There is also a 16-mile rule. A tower may not tow a vehicle more than 16 miles without owner or law-enforcement authorization. A violation is a violation of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
This page doesn’t have a verified Pennsylvania rule for sign height, letter size, or board dimensions. General private-property signage specs of that kind weren’t confirmed. Don’t copy another state’s sign-size template and treat it as Pennsylvania law.
What Philadelphia Code 9-605 adds in the city
Inside Philadelphia, Code 9-605 sits on top of the state act. Only licensed companies may tow from private property. The company needs a tower license from the Enforcement Agency, a per-truck certificate, and annual renewal. It also needs prior written permission from the property owner. No solicitation.
A tower may not tow a disabled vehicle with the owner absent without a police stolen-check. Wreck-chasing is barred unless the tower is summoned by a party or by police. Bill 090827 (2009) added a private right of action for violations.
These city rules show up in University City during late-August move-in. They also show up on Pattison Avenue lots around the sports complex. Apartment and HOA lots from South Philadelphia to Manayunk use them too. A King of Prussia mall lot is a suburban property. It isn’t a PPA tow. It isn’t automatically a 9-605 city job.
This brand isn’t the tower. We connect property managers with licensed operators. We hold no 9-605 license, no PUC certificate, and no PennDOT towing registration.
The only private-property dollar cap this page can cite
This page doesn’t publish a passenger-vehicle private-property tow cap for Philadelphia. That figure wasn’t confirmed. The only confirmed private-property cap in Code 9-605 is for heavy vehicles. That band is 17,000 pounds and up. The maximum is a $360 tow plus $75 per 24 hours of storage.
Don’t treat that heavy-vehicle cap as the price for a Honda in an apartment lot. Don’t treat PPA’s city schedule as a private-lot rate either. On a private lot, the posted rates under 73 P.S. §1971 are the ones to read. Photograph the posted fees and hours before you pay.
How this differs from a PPA or township tow
A PPA city tow isn’t a private-property tow. Find that car at findmytowedcar.org or 888-591-3636. A township impound in Upper Darby or Norristown isn’t a private-property tow either. Each municipality sets its own fee. Title 75 §3352 caps storage at $25 a day only if the municipality has set no rate.
If you manage a lot and need enforcement done by the book, start with private property towing. That page is a referral to licensed operators, not a claim that this brand performs the tow. Other services cover breakdowns and roadside jobs.
Frequently asked questions
What must a Pennsylvania private-property towing sign include?
The confirmed requirement is posted fees, storage fees, service fees, and hours at the storage facility under 73 P.S. §1971. A board-size or letter-height spec wasn’t confirmed for Pennsylvania, so this page doesn’t invent one.
Do I need a city license to tow from a Philadelphia lot?
Yes, under Philadelphia Code 9-605. Only licensed companies may tow from private property, and they need the property owner’s written permission. This brand isn’t that licensee.
Is there a cap on what a private lot can charge to tow a passenger car?
Not one this page can publish. Only the heavy-vehicle cap is confirmed: 17,000 pounds and up, a maximum $360 tow plus $75 per 24 hours of storage. Ask for itemized written charges and read the posted rates.
How far can the tower haul the car?
No more than 16 miles without owner or law-enforcement authorization, under 73 P.S. §1971. If the lot is farther than that, ask who authorized the extra miles.
When to call us
Call if you manage a lot and need a licensed operator. Call if a car on your property needs a quoted private tow. The line takes calls 24/7. Calls are recorded after a notice. We’re not the tower. Call the line at (610) 557-1544, or write through /contact/.