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ARS 28-871 Vehicle Impoundment FAQ

Phoenix City Code Chapter 36

You are entitled to a hearing to determine the validity of the impoundment, but a hearing is not required. If you do not want a hearing, you may go directly to the towing company lot, pay the towing and storage fees, and claim your vehicle.

A request for a Post Storage Hearing must be received by the Phoenix Police Department within ten (10) days from the date of the vehicle impoundment. If your request is received after the ten day period, we cannot grant you a hearing on this matter.

The hearing can be requested by telephone at (602) 495-2096, by FAX at (602) 262-1863 or in writing to:

Phoenix Police Department

Public Records and Services Unit/Vehicle Impound

1717 East Grant St. Suite#100

Phoenix, AZ 85034

No, Post Storage Hearings are conducted by staff (hearing officers) in the Public Records and Services ​Unit of the Phoenix Police Department and are informal. Hearings are currently conducted over the telephone.

You must provide justification and or evidence as to why the vehicle should not have been impounded by the Phoenix Police Department. If you have any documentation, it must be provided to the hearing officer prior to or at the hearing.

No, there is no fee for a hearing.

No, an attorney is not required. However, you may bring your attorney, if you wish. The hearing process is informal and rather brief.

A Post Storage Hearing can only be requested by the registered owner, the owner's spouse, or the lien holder.

The Post Storage Hearing is solely for the purpose of determining the validity of the impoundment.

The hearing will be scheduled within two (2) days of the request.

The Phoenix Police Department will assign the hearing officer.

After the conclusion of the hearing,  and the hearing officer will make a determination below based on the preponderance of evidence:

  • If the hearing officer determines the impoundment improperly impounded pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute and Phoenix City Code, the Phoenix Police Department will be responsible for the towing and impound fees.
  • If the hearing officer determines the impoundment was properly impounded pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute and Phoenix City Code​, the registered owner must pay towing and storage charges to the towing company in order to have the vehicle released.