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. 

  • You can also check the status of your vehicle online at: https://search.autoreturn.com/. 

  

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. 

 

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/.