Tow Pound

A tow pound is a city-operated vehicle storage facility where towed vehicles are held until the registered owner clears all outstanding debts and retrieves the vehicle. NYC operates multiple tow pounds across the five boroughs, managed by the NYPD and the Department of Finance. The main facilities are located in each borough, with the Manhattan tow pound at Pier 76 being the best known (though it relocated in recent years).

Retrieving a vehicle from a tow pound requires the owner to present proof of registration, valid insurance, and photo ID, plus pay the full outstanding judgment balance, the $136 release fee, and all accumulated $20/day storage fees. Tow pounds typically have limited business hours for vehicle pickup — usually weekday hours with reduced weekend availability — which can extend the impound period and increase storage costs.

For fleet operators, knowing which tow pound holds your vehicle is the first step in recovery. NYPD's tow pound hotline (311) can locate a towed vehicle. Having corporate documentation readily available (registration copies, insurance cards, authorization letters for the employee picking up the vehicle) speeds the release process. Clear Plates cannot prevent a tow once it happens, but it prevents the underlying conditions by flagging judgment debt and boot-risk vehicles before enforcement actions occur.