Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has an established set of regulations that drivers must follow in order to avoid having their vehicle towed. Most of the vehicles towed in Milwaukee are found to be in violation of rules and regulations dealing with parking or street maintenance, according to the city Department of Public Works. Milwaukee has a city tow lot where towed vehicles can be claimed after proof of ownership is provided and tow fees are paid.
Parking regulations in Milwaukee vary depending on where and when you are attempting to park your vehicle. Violations of parking regulations usually result in a ticket, but a number of offenses can result in your vehicle being towed. Snow route tow away zones are located throughout the city, and indicate that any vehicle parked in these zones during a declared snow emergency will be towed at the owner's expense. Temporary no-parking tow-away zones can also be established by the city to assist in snow removal or other street maintenance projects, according to the DPW. Vehicles parked in excess of 24 hours receive a placard, or orange sticker, placed on the window. The placard and a notice sent to the registered owner of the vehicle serve as a warning that the vehicle will be towed after 72 hours if not moved, according to the DPW.
Regulations in Milwaukee restrict the availability of parking for street sweeping operations. Certain streets, especially on the city's east and south sides, experience a high demand for parking spots, making it difficult to sweep the streets to the curb line, according to the Milwaukee DPW. Areas that have designated street sweeping times are marked accordingly by posted signs that indicate when the street becomes a tow-away zone. Parking restrictions for street sweeping are in effect annually from April 1 to December 1, and violators are subject to a $30 citation and applicable tow fees, according to the DPW.
To reclaim a towed vehicle you must go to the city tow lot and present the vehicle's title in the owner's name, a valid driver's license and a valid insurance card, according to the Milwaukee DPW. If you do not have a driver's license, you must present a state-issued photo ID and be accompanied by someone who does have a valid driver's license and who is able to drive the car from the lot. Vehicles can be retrieved on the owner's behalf by someone presenting the three items mentioned above as well as a notarized letter from the owner. All fees must also be paid before a towed vehicle can be reclaimed. As of 2010 the initial towing fee is $105, followed by storage fees of $20 per day, according to the Milwaukee DPW.
Milwaukee City Tow Lot
3811 W. Lincoln Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53215
414-286-2700
