Towed From a Bridgeport Parking Lot? How to Find Your Car and What It'll Cost to Get It Back

By Zip Towing Bridgeport BC · Published October 31, 2026

Car towed in Richmond BC? First, make sure it was towed

You come back to the lot off Bridgeport Rd and the space is empty. Look for the tow-away sign at the entrance or exit. With a car towed in Richmond BC from a private lot, that sign should name the company, its phone number and where towed cars are kept.

If there is no sign and nobody nearby knows anything, the car may have been stolen, so call the police non-emergency line. If your car is there but simply won't start or you've locked your keys inside, that's a roadside call, and our roadside assistance crew can help.

What are the City of Richmond rules for towing from a private lot?

Richmond sets clear rules in its Private Parking Lot Towing Regulations. A property owner needs a City towing permit, or a no-parking area clearly marked with yellow paint or other visible means, plus a tow-away sign that lists the towing company and where cars are taken. The owner or their agent, who can't work for the towing company, fills in Part A of a Tow-Away Notice; the driver fills in Part B.

The rules also set waiting times and limit charges, which helps if a tow seemed rushed. It's the same reason we quote before hook-up on our own jobs.

• No tow from a time-limited lot until 30 minutes after the time limit runs out.
• For a reserved tenant stall, the driver must wait 10 minutes.
• If you return after the car is hooked up, it must be released right away; a drop fee applies.
• The car must go directly to the towing company's licensed impound lot.
• No fee for the property owner's agent, and no charges beyond the provincial regulation.

How do you find out who towed your car and where it is?

Start with the tow-away sign; under the City's rules it shows the company's name, phone number and the place your car was taken. Photograph the sign and the empty stall, wich gives you a record if you question the tow later. If the sign is missing, ask the property manager, strata or lot operator.

Consumer Protection BC says it does not regulate towing companies, so it isn't the place to call. Its advice is to ask the towing company who authorized the tow, and to contact the property owner, parking operator or strata. If your own car needs moving from a low garage later, that's underground towing.

What does it cost to get a towed car back in Richmond?

We won't quote a number, because we don't set these rates. Richmond's page says the rates a tow company can charge are set in BC's Lien on Impounded Motor Vehicle Regulation, and that the release fee is the base tow rate. That regulation groups charges into towing, storage by the day and an administration fee, and the regulation places Richmond in one of its rate zones.

Storage keeps adding up untill you collect the car, so go soon. Ask for an itemized bill showing towing, storage and administration separately. Our guides to what a tow truck costs in Richmond and the towing fees to ask about explain each line item.

What should you bring to the impound lot, and what if the car won't drive?

Call the company first to confirm the address, hours and payment methods. Ask what ID and proof of ownership they need, and bring the keys.

If the car was damaged or won't start once you get there, you don't have to drive it. A car tow can take it home or to your mechanic, and a flatbed is the safer choice for AWD cars and EVs. If you think the tow broke the rules, Consumer Protection BC points people to the Civil Resolution Tribunal. A police impound is a different process; our guide to what ICBC and BCAA cover helps after a crash.

Questions drivers ask