Towing & Recovery

Towing Services 

The Towing and Recovery Division provides professional towing services by responding to requests from the Norfolk Police Department, Fire Department and Health Department, as well as parking for parking and code enforcement personnel.

Towing & Recovery provides towing services, in coordination with the Norfolk Police Department, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Report a nuisance or abandoned vehicle (on street) at www.mynorfolk.org, the My Norfolk Mobile App or call Norfolk Cares at (757) 664-6510. 

To inquire about a towed motor vehicle, contact the Towing and Recovery Office at 757-441-1062.

Claiming Your Vehicle

 To claim an impounded vehicle, you must present the following information:

  • Proof of vehicle ownership (valid vehicle registration or title, OR proof of insurance, AND a notarized statement from the owner authorizing you to pick up the vehicle, if you are not the owner). 
  • Personal government issued photo identification.

Please Note: If your vehicle has been impounded, but you've paid the City of Norfolk for delinquent parking tickets, you must do all three of the following before going to the Impound Lot to pick up your vehicle. Carefully following each step will ensure you reclaim your vehicle in a timely manner. 

  1. Pay all tickets in full;
  2. Obtain a copy of an official receipt directly from City of Norfolk Parking, and; 
  3. Confirm that all other tickets not yet referred are paid in full. You confirm this either at the Division of Parking's Customer Service Center (222 E. Main Street) or online. 

Impound Fees

All monies owed to the City to satisfy the towing charges, any outstanding parking violations tickets, and delinquent taxes owed are due when the vehicle is picked up. Delinquent tax payments must be paid with exact cash, Cashier's checks or money order only. 

*As of October 1, 2025, Towing & Recovery will no longer accept cash payments.

All monies owed to the City to satisfy the towing charges, any outstanding parking violations tickets, and delinquent taxes owed are due when the vehicle is picked up. Visa and MasterCard credit cards are accepted, as well as debit cards, money orders, company checks, and certified cashier’s checks.

 In addition to the initial towing fee, daily storage fees of $50/day accrue after the first 24 hours in which the vehicle is impounded. 

Unclaimed Vehicles

After 40 days, all unclaimed vehicles will be disposed of through auction. Vehicles not claimed by the owners may be either auctioned by the City or disposed of through a junk car program that is administered by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Auctions  

The City of Norfolk Towing & Recovery holds monthly, online only vehicle auctions. To view vehicle listings, obtain information, find the in-person preview date and time and register to bid, click HERE. 

Please note, a valid credit card will be required to participate in online bidding.

Please note, a valid credit card will be required to participate in online bidding. Beginning with the September 18, 2025 auction, the only forms of payment that will be accepted are cashier's checks, money orders, credit cards and debit cards. No cash will be accepted. 


Please read the full terms and conditions located on the link to the website.

Our 2026 online auctions will occur on the following dates:

  • 3/5/26
  • 4/9/26
  • 5/7/26
  • 6/11/26
  • 7/9/26
  • 8/13/26
  • 9/10/26
  • 10/8/26
  • 11/12/26
  • 12/10/26

All online vehicle auctions begin at 10:30 a.m. on the designated date. 

Contact the Towing Division for additional information at (757) 441-1062 .

Special Auctions

We are currently listing special vehicles for auction on the Public Surplus Auction website.

These auctions will run separately from our monthly auto auction, and contain special use and unique vehicles. If you are interested in participating, please visit the page Public Surplus Auction website. 

Electronic Drop-off (E-Waste)  

As of April 14, 2023, electronic waste (e-waste) is no longer accepted at Towing and Recovery, 1188-A Lance Road. Norfolk residents must take all e-waste to the Norfolk SPSA Transfer Station located at 3136 Woodland Avenue, free of charge. Residents can drop off e-waste at the transfer station every Tuesday & Saturday, noon - 4:00 PM. 

E-waste must be delivered in a personal vehicle. There is an e-waste disposal limit of five items per visit. Commercial e-waste is not accepted. View a list of acceptable items (PDF). 

Document Shredding Services  

Shredding services are available Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM, and most Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. 

When bringing documents to be shredded, please remember:

  • All binders and clips must be removed.
  • Standard staples are acceptable. Industrial staples must be removed.
  • Drop off service is available for those with up to a standard shopping bag full of paper.

Satellite Services  

The Division of Towing and Recovery has partnered with the Office of the City Treasurer and the Division of Parking to make it more convenient for residents to recover their towed vehicles.

  • Office of the City Treasurer: Unpaid personal property taxes can be paid at the Division of Towing and recovery. Only cash or certified checks are accepted forms of payment for tax payments.*
  • Division of Parking: Unpaid parking tickets can be paid at the Division of Towing and Recovery using cash and most major credit cards, with the exception of the Discover Card.*

*Towing & Recovery will not accept cash after 6:00PM Monday through Friday . Cash will not be accepted at anytime Saturday, Sunday or on holidays.