Private Parking Towing Brantford: The Property Owner’s Complete Guide to Unauthorized Vehicle Removal (2026)
As a property owner or manager in Brantford, you have the legal right to have unauthorized vehicles towed from your private parking lot — but only if you follow Ontario’s rules. This means proper signage, correct notice procedures, and working with a licensed tow company. Done right, private parking towing protects your tenants, customers, and property. Done wrong, it exposes you to liability.
Need a towing partner for your property? (226) 493-1377
If you own or manage commercial property, a retail plaza, a medical office, a restaurant, a condo, an apartment building, or any private lot in Brantford, you have dealt with it: someone parks in your lot without permission, takes up spots reserved for your tenants or customers, and refuses to move — or is simply nowhere to be found.
Private parking towing is the legal tool property owners use to solve this problem. But it is not as simple as calling any tow truck and having the car hauled away. Ontario has specific rules about when and how vehicles can be towed from private property, what signage must be posted, and what rights the vehicle owner retains. Violating these rules can turn a straightforward parking enforcement action into a costly legal dispute.
This guide from Brantford Towing covers the complete legal process for towing unauthorized vehicles from private property in Brantford — the signage requirements, the step-by-step procedure, your rights and responsibilities as a property owner, common mistakes to avoid, and how our private parking towing service works as your enforcement partner.
When Can You Legally Tow a Vehicle From Private Property in Ontario?
Under Ontario law, property owners have the right to remove unauthorized vehicles from their private property — but only under specific conditions. Here are the situations where private parking towing is legally permissible:
Vehicle parked without authorization — on property with clearly posted “No Unauthorized Parking” or “Private Parking — Tow Away Zone” signage
Vehicle in a designated reserved spot — tenant parking, handicap spaces, fire lanes, or customer-only spots with proper signage
Vehicle blocking access — blocking a driveway, loading zone, fire route, or building entrance on your property
Abandoned vehicle on your property — a vehicle left on your lot for an extended period that appears to be abandoned. May also require a municipal by-law complaint.
Vehicle violating posted parking rules — exceeding time limits, wrong area, or other posted conditions on your private lot
🚨 Critical: Signage Is Non-Negotiable
You cannot tow a vehicle from private property unless proper signage is posted that warns of towing enforcement. Without visible, compliant signage, you have no legal basis for removal — and the vehicle owner may have grounds for a complaint or civil action against you. We cover the specific signage requirements below.
Private Parking Signage Requirements in Ontario
Your signage is the legal foundation of your parking enforcement program. Under Ontario’s Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA) and municipal by-laws, private parking signs must meet specific requirements to be enforceable:
📋 What Your Signage Must Include
Clear warning: Language stating that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense (e.g., “Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed at Owner’s Expense”)
Towing company name and phone: The name and contact number of the towing company responsible for enforcement — so the vehicle owner can locate their car
Visible placement: Signs must be posted at every vehicle entrance to the property and at prominent locations throughout the lot
Legible size: Text must be large enough to read from a reasonable distance — typically from a vehicle entering the lot
Maintained condition: Faded, damaged, or obscured signs may not be considered adequate notice. Replace signs as needed to maintain legibility.
💡 Best Practice: Photograph Your Signage
Take dated photos of every sign on your property — showing their location, condition, and readability. Store these photos. If a vehicle owner disputes the tow, your timestamped photos prove that proper notice was in place at the time of removal.
Step-by-Step: How to Legally Tow From Your Private Property
Follow this process to ensure every tow from your private lot is legally defensible:
Verify Your Signage Is Compliant
Before calling for any tow, confirm your signs are in place, legible, properly located at all entrances, and include the towing company name and phone number. No compliant signage = no legal tow.
Confirm the Vehicle Is Unauthorized
Verify the vehicle does not belong to a tenant, customer, employee, or authorized visitor. A quick check prevents costly mistakes — towing an authorized vehicle creates liability for you.
Document the Violation
Take photos: the vehicle in the unauthorized location, the licence plate, the proximity to signage, and a timestamp. This documentation protects you if the vehicle owner disputes the tow.
Call Your Licensed Towing Partner
Call Brantford Towing at (226) 493-1377. We verify the details, dispatch a TSSEA-licensed truck, and handle the removal. Under Ontario towing law, the tow operator must be licensed.
Vehicle Removed & Stored
The vehicle is towed to a secure storage facility. The vehicle owner is responsible for all towing and storage costs to retrieve their car. We provide proper documentation of the removal.
Keep Records
Retain your photos, the tow receipt, and any communication with the vehicle owner. These records protect you if the tow is disputed. Brantford Towing provides detailed removal documentation for your files.
6 Common Mistakes Property Owners Make With Private Parking Towing
These errors can turn a legitimate parking enforcement action into a legal headache — and some Brantford property managers learn this the hard way:
No signage or inadequate signage
The number-one mistake. Without proper signs at every entrance warning of tow enforcement, you have no legal basis to remove a vehicle. A tiny, faded sign on one corner of the lot does not count.
Using an unlicensed towing company
Under Ontario’s TSSEA, only licensed operators may tow vehicles. Using an unlicensed company exposes you to liability and makes the removal legally questionable. Always verify the tow company’s TSSEA licence. Read our tow truck scams guide for identification tips.
Towing an authorized vehicle by mistake
A tenant’s guest, a delivery driver, or a customer who stayed longer than expected is not the same as an unauthorized vehicle. Towing the wrong car creates direct liability for damages and inconvenience. Always verify before calling.
No documentation of the violation
Without photos showing the vehicle’s position, the signage, and a timestamp, a dispute becomes a “he said, she said” situation. Spend 60 seconds photographing the scene before calling the tow company.
Blocking or immobilizing the vehicle yourself
Placing cones behind a car, using a wheel boot, or blocking a vehicle in with your own car can create liability. The legal remedy is towing by a licensed operator — not self-help measures that may damage the vehicle or restrict the owner’s access.
Not including tow company info on signage
Signs that say “Unauthorized vehicles will be towed” without listing the towing company name and phone number fail TSSEA requirements. The vehicle owner must be able to find out where their car was taken.
Property Types We Provide Private Parking Towing For
Brantford Towing partners with a wide range of property types across the region for ongoing private parking towing enforcement:
🏢 Commercial Plazas
Strip malls, retail centres, office parks — protecting customer and tenant parking.
🏬 Retail Stores
Single-store lots, franchise locations, standalone businesses with designated customer parking.
🍽️ Restaurants & Bars
Customer-only lots, especially in high-traffic areas where overflow parking is a problem.
🏥 Medical & Dental Offices
Patient parking protection — critical for accessibility compliance.
🏠 Condos & Apartments
Tenant and visitor parking enforcement, underground garage removal. See our low clearance towing guide.
⛪ Churches & Community Centres
Event parking management and post-event unauthorized vehicle removal.
🏭 Industrial & Warehouse
Loading dock clearance, employee lot enforcement, construction zone vehicle removal.
🏗️ Construction Sites
Temporary site parking enforcement to keep access clear for workers and deliveries.
Private Parking Towing Costs: Who Pays What?
One of the most common questions from property owners: who pays for the tow? Here is how the costs work:
The key advantage for property owners: private parking towing enforcement typically costs you nothing on a per-tow basis — the vehicle owner covers all costs. Your investment is the signage and the partnership arrangement with a licensed towing company. For standard towing pricing reference, see our towing cost guide.
Property Owner? Protect Your Lot With a Towing Partner.
Licensed Private Parking Towing — Brantford & Area
Signage guidance • 24/7 dispatch • TSSEA licensed • No cost to property owner per tow
What Brantford Towing Offers Property Owners
Our private parking towing partnership is designed to make enforcement easy, legally compliant, and cost-effective for property owners across Brantford and surrounding communities:
📋 Signage Guidance
We advise on proper sign placement, required content, and Ontario compliance requirements. We ensure your signage includes our company name and phone number as required by TSSEA.
📞 24/7 Priority Dispatch
Call our dedicated line anytime — day or night — and we prioritize your property’s tow requests. Unauthorized vehicles removed quickly so your tenants and customers always have parking.
📄 Complete Documentation
Every removal is documented: timestamped photos, removal records, and tow receipts. This protects you against disputes and provides an audit trail for property management reporting.
🛡️ TSSEA Licensed & Insured
Every removal is conducted by a TSSEA-licensed operator with $2M+ commercial insurance. This protects both you and the vehicle owner — and ensures full legal compliance. Why licensing matters.
💰 No Cost to Property Owner
You do not pay per tow. The unauthorized vehicle owner covers all towing and storage costs to retrieve their vehicle. Your only cost is the signage — a one-time investment that pays for itself immediately.
🅿️ Low Clearance Capability
For condos and buildings with underground parking, we have specialized low-profile equipment that fits where standard tow trucks cannot — including below-grade garage levels.
Fire Lane, Handicap & Accessibility Parking Violations
Some parking violations go beyond inconvenience — they are safety and accessibility issues that may also involve municipal by-law enforcement:
🚒 Fire Lane Violations
Vehicles blocking designated fire routes are not just a nuisance — they endanger lives. Fire lanes must be kept clear at all times. In an emergency, even a one-minute delay can be catastrophic. These violations may also result in municipal by-law fines in addition to towing.
♿ Accessible Parking Abuse
Vehicles parked in accessible spots without a valid permit are violating both your parking rules and Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Towing these vehicles protects the rights of people who depend on those spaces.
Private Parking Towing Service Areas
Our private parking towing partnerships cover properties across Brantford and the surrounding region: Paris, Caledonia, and St. George, Burford, Scotland, Mount Pleasant, Ancaster, Cambridge, Woodstock, Hamilton, and Simcoe. TSSEA licensed and fully insured. View our service area map.
Frequently Asked Questions About Private Parking Towing
Can I have a car towed from my private property in Ontario?
Yes. As a property owner, you have the legal right to have unauthorized vehicles towed from your private property — provided you have proper signage posted that warns of towing enforcement, including the towing company name and phone number. The tow must be performed by a TSSEA-licensed operator.
What signage do I need for private parking enforcement?
Signs must be posted at every vehicle entrance stating that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. Signs must include the towing company name and phone number, be legible from a reasonable distance, and be maintained in good condition. Brantford Towing provides signage guidance to all partnership clients.
Who pays for private property towing — the property owner or the vehicle owner?
The unauthorized vehicle owner pays all towing and storage costs to retrieve their vehicle. The property owner typically pays nothing on a per-tow basis. Your only investment is the one-time cost of compliant signage.
Can I tow a car from my property without a sign?
No. Proper signage is the legal foundation for private parking towing in Ontario. Without compliant signage warning of tow enforcement, you have no legal basis for removal and the vehicle owner may have grounds for a complaint or civil action against you.
How fast can you remove an unauthorized vehicle from my lot?
For properties with an active towing partnership, we typically respond within 30 to 60 minutes. For fire lane and accessibility violations that create immediate safety concerns, we prioritize dispatch. Call (226) 493-1377 anytime — 24/7.
What if the vehicle owner returns while the tow truck is there?
Under TSSEA, if the vehicle owner arrives before the tow truck has left with the vehicle, the operator must release the vehicle. A drop fee may apply for the operator’s time and response — but the vehicle must be released. This is a consumer protection under Ontario law.
Can a condo board use private parking towing for resident enforcement?
Yes. Condo boards can enforce parking rules on common elements — including designated spots, visitor areas, and fire routes — through a licensed towing partnership. The condo’s declaration, rules, and by-laws should authorize this enforcement, and proper signage must be posted throughout the parking area.
Do I need to call police before towing from private property?
In most cases, no. Private property parking enforcement is a civil matter between the property owner and the vehicle owner. You do not need police involvement to tow an unauthorized vehicle from your properly-signed private lot. However, if the situation involves a suspected stolen vehicle, criminal activity, or a confrontation, contact police first.
What about abandoned vehicles on my property?
Abandoned vehicles may require additional steps beyond standard towing — including notifying local municipal by-law enforcement. If a vehicle appears to have been abandoned on your property for an extended period, call us to discuss the appropriate process. We can also assist with scrap car removal if needed.
How do I set up a towing partnership with Brantford Towing?
Call (226) 493-1377 and ask about our private parking enforcement partnerships. We will visit your property, assess your signage needs, provide compliance guidance, and set up a direct dispatch arrangement. There is no ongoing cost to you — vehicle owners cover all towing and storage costs.
Your Lot. Your Rules. Our Enforcement.
Set Up Your Private Parking Towing Partnership Today.
Signage guidance • 24/7 dispatch • TSSEA licensed • No cost to you per tow.