Halifax Impound Lot Fees, Hours & Vehicle Release Process
Getting your car impounded is stressful enough β the last thing you need is confusion about what it’ll cost and how long the process takes. This page is a practical reference for everyone dealing with a towed or impounded vehicle in Halifax: the exact fees, yard hours, what documents you need, and the full release process for both parking tows and police seizures.
If you’re looking for step-by-step instructions on what to do right after your car is towed, see our complete guide: Car Impounded in Halifax? How to Get It Back Fast. This page focuses specifically on the fees, hours, and release requirements you’ll encounter once you’ve located your vehicle.
Complete Impound Lot Fee Breakdown for Halifax
Every hour your vehicle sits at an impound lot, fees are building. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you’ll pay when retrieving your vehicle in Halifax:
Here’s what typical totals look like depending on how quickly you retrieve your vehicle:
Retrieved Same Day
$175 β $275
Tow fee + ticket only
Retrieved After 2 Days
$270 β $420
Tow + ticket + 2 days storage
Retrieved After 7 Days
$480 β $720+
Tow + ticket + 7 days storage
π‘ Key Takeaway: Storage fees are the killer. A $40/day storage fee adds $280 over one week. If you can physically get to the impound lot the same day your vehicle is towed, you’ll save hundreds of dollars. For a complete breakdown of all towing costs in Halifax, see our towing cost guide.
Impound Lot Hours in Halifax
Halifax’s three contracted tow companies all operate on the same schedule for vehicle retrieval:
β° Friday Evening / Weekend Trap: If your car is towed after 8 PM on Friday, you can’t retrieve it until Saturday at 9 AM β and Saturday hours are only until 2 PM. If you miss that window, you wait until Sunday 9 AM β 2 PM. Miss both? Monday morning. That’s 2β3 extra days of storage fees ($60β$180) for a Friday night tow.
For police-seized vehicles, the process starts at Police HQ (1975 Gottingen Street), which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for seized vehicle releases. However, the vehicle is still held at a tow company yard, so you’ll need to pick it up during their hours after getting the police release authorization.
Halifax’s Contracted Impound Lot Operators
Searching for an impound lot near me in Halifax? Your vehicle will be at one of these three contracted companies. Which one depends on the municipal tow rotation β you don’t get to choose. Check the HRM towing portal to find which one has your car.
Can’t find your vehicle in the online portal? Call the HRP non-emergency line at 902-490-5020 or 311 for assistance. If you suspect your car was stolen rather than towed, report it to police immediately.
Vehicle Release Process: Parking & Bylaw Tows
This covers the most common scenario β your car was towed for a parking violation, rush-hour no-stopping zone, winter parking ban, or similar bylaw infraction. Here’s the exact process:
Vehicle Release Process: Police Seizures
Police seizures are different from parking tows. Your vehicle may be held for a mandatory period and requires police authorization before the tow yard will release it. Here’s the process:
Include your contact phone number. This starts the release process. The police will call you back to confirm your identity and arrange release.
The registered owner must provide: valid driver’s licence (or photo ID if licence is suspended), vehicle registration, and proof of valid insurance.
Police HQ at 1975 Gottingen Street handles seized vehicle releases 24/7. Alternatively, Traffic Support Services may authorize release over the phone after verifying your documents via email.
The tow company won’t release your vehicle without police authorization. Once you have it, go to the tow yard during their operating hours, pay all fees, and retrieve your vehicle.
β οΈ Mandatory Hold Periods:
Some police seizures come with mandatory hold periods that must expire before release β no exceptions. Impaired driving seizures, for example, typically carry a minimum hold period. You cannot retrieve your vehicle before this period ends regardless of whether you’ve completed all other steps. Contact the investigating officer for details on your specific case.
Can’t Drive Your Car From the Yard?
We pick up from any impound lot in Halifax β tow to your home, mechanic, or body shop
(902) 593-3918
Accepted Payment Methods at Halifax Impound Lots
Payment policies vary by company. Before heading to the yard, call and confirm what they accept. Generally, most Halifax tow yards take the following:
Cash
Widely accepted β bring exact amount if possible
Debit (Interac)
Most yards accept debit β confirm in advance
Credit Card
Visa/MC commonly accepted β check for surcharges
π« Don’t get caught without payment. If you show up with your documents but can’t pay, you’ll leave without your car and accumulate another day of storage. Call ahead, confirm the exact amount, and have your payment ready before arriving. Some yards may not accept certain forms of payment β ask specifically when you call.
What If You Can’t Retrieve Your Vehicle the Same Day?
Sometimes you can’t get to the yard right away β you might be out of town, lack a valid licence, or not have enough money for the fees. Here’s what to know:
There’s no way to pause or freeze storage fees. Every day your car sits in the yard adds $30β$60 to your bill. The financial math is simple: get there as soon as you physically can.
For parking tows, anyone with a valid licence, the car keys, and payment can generally retrieve your vehicle. For police seizures, only the registered owner (or someone with written authorization) can arrange release.
If you can’t drive the vehicle out (suspended licence, no plates, mechanical issue), call Halifax Towing at (902) 593-3918. We’ll pick up from any impound lot in Halifax and deliver to your home, mechanic, or body shop.
Some auto insurance policies include towing and storage reimbursement. Check your policy details or call your insurer β you may be able to claim back some of the impound costs. More details in our insurance and towing guide.
If a vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period, the tow company can apply for ownership through a lien process and sell the vehicle to recover accumulated fees. Don’t let it reach this point.
Disputing an Impound Tow in Halifax
If you believe your vehicle was towed unfairly, here’s how to approach a dispute while minimizing your costs:
β Do This
- Pay and retrieve first β stop fees from accumulating while you dispute
- Keep all receipts β you’ll need them if the dispute is successful
- Photograph signage at the location where you were parked
- Call 311 or email parking@halifax.ca to contest the parking ticket
- Check Google Street View for signage evidence if you didn’t photograph it
β Don’t Do This
- Don’t leave your car while disputing β storage fees don’t stop for disputes
- Don’t argue with tow yard staff β they didn’t authorize the tow
- Don’t refuse to pay β the yard has a legal lien on your vehicle
- Don’t miss the ticket deadline β unpaid tickets escalate to collections
Towing Service Across Halifax
Need a vehicle moved from an impound lot or towed after an accident? Halifax Towing provides 24/7 towing including flatbed service across the entire HRM:
View our full service area including all HRM highways. For post-accident towing, see our accident towing service. Not sure what you’ll pay? Check the Halifax towing cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Halifax Impound Lots
Where is the impound lot in Halifax?
Halifax doesn’t have a single municipal impound lot. Towed vehicles go to one of three contracted companies: A-1 Towing (902-865-4575), Academy Towing (902-463-7300), or Excel Towing (902-809-4357). Use the HRM online towing portal at halifax.ca to find which one has your vehicle.
How much is the tow fee for an impounded vehicle in Halifax?
The initial tow fee ranges from $150 to $250 for standard vehicles. Heavy or oversized vehicles can cost $200β$350+. After-hours or weekend tows may include a $25β$75 premium. On top of the tow fee, daily storage runs $30β$60 per day.
How much is daily storage at Halifax impound lots?
Daily storage fees typically range from $30 to $60 per day. This means leaving your car for one week could add $210 to $420 to your bill on top of the initial tow fee. Retrieving your vehicle as quickly as possible is the single best way to keep costs down.
What are the impound lot hours in Halifax?
All three contracted tow yards operate Monday to Friday 8 AM β 8 PM, and Saturday/Sunday 9 AM β 2 PM. They’re closed on city-approved holidays. For police seizure releases, Police HQ at 1975 Gottingen Street is open 24/7.
What do I need to bring to get my car from impound?
For parking/bylaw tows: a valid driver’s licence, your vehicle keys, and payment for fees. For police seizures: the same plus vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and police release authorization. The registered owner must handle the release for police seizures.
How do I get a police-seized vehicle released in Halifax?
Email hrpsot@halifax.ca with your contact number to begin the process. Provide your licence, registration, and insurance when requested. You can also visit Police HQ at 1975 Gottingen Street (open 24/7). After receiving police authorization, take it to the tow yard to retrieve your vehicle during their hours.
Can I get my personal belongings from an impounded car?
Generally yes β contact the tow company and bring valid ID. Some yards charge a small access fee. For police-seized vehicles, retrieving personal items may require police authorization. Call ahead to confirm the process and any associated costs.
Can I dispute an impound tow in Halifax?
Yes. Pay and retrieve your vehicle first to stop storage fees accumulating, then contest the parking ticket through HRM’s dispute process by calling 311 or emailing parking@halifax.ca. If the ticket is dismissed, you may be eligible for a refund of tow fees. Keep all receipts and document the signage at the location.
What happens if I don’t pick up my impounded car?
Storage fees continue accumulating daily. After an extended period, the tow company can apply for ownership through a lien process and sell your vehicle to recover costs. If the accumulated fees exceed the vehicle’s value, you may lose the car entirely.
Does my auto insurance cover impound fees?
Some Nova Scotia auto policies include towing and storage reimbursement. Check your policy or contact your insurer’s 24-hour claims line. You’ll typically need to pay the impound fees upfront and submit receipts for reimbursement. Coverage varies β not all policies include this benefit.
Can someone else pick up my car from impound in Halifax?
For parking/bylaw tows, generally yes β anyone with a valid licence, the vehicle keys, and payment can retrieve it. For police seizures, only the registered owner or someone with written authorization from the owner can arrange release.
Can Halifax Towing move my car from an impound lot?
Yes. If you can’t drive your vehicle from the impound yard β suspended licence, vehicle won’t start, plates removed, or any other reason β call (902) 593-3918 and we’ll tow it from any impound lot in Halifax to your home, mechanic, or body shop.
How do I find my towed car in Halifax?
Check the HRM online towing portal at halifax.ca to search for your vehicle by licence plate. If it’s not listed, call 311 or the HRP non-emergency line at 902-490-5020. If you didn’t receive a tow notice and can’t locate your vehicle, consider reporting it stolen.
Is there an impound lot near me open on weekends?
Yes β all three contracted Halifax impound lots are open Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM. These are shorter hours than weekdays, so arrive early. They are closed on city-approved holidays.
What payment methods do Halifax impound lots accept?
Most yards accept cash, debit (Interac), and major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard). However, policies vary by company β call the specific tow yard before visiting to confirm what payment methods they accept and whether any surcharges apply.
Need Your Car Moved From Impound?
We pick up from any impound yard in Halifax β 24/7 service
To your home, mechanic, body shop, or anywhere in the HRM
(902) 593-3918