Vehicles are most commonly towed because:
- They are parked in areas with emergency or temporary "No Parking" signs. This includes all paper signs posted 48 hours in advance for moving vans, general construction work, street repairs, special events, dumpsters, etc.
- They are parked on snow emergency routes during a snow event.
- They have been booted for three days or are associated with over $1,000 in parking tickets and late fees.
In 2023, the City of Cambridge implemented a one-year street cleaning pilot program. During this pilot, towing associated with street cleaning will not be enforced.
Related information:
Locate a Towed Vehicle
Use the Towed Vehicle Lookup or call the Cambridge Police Department at 617-349-3300 to find out if and where your vehicle has been towed. Please have your license plate number available.
Pay Tow Fee
The City contracts with B&B Tow. In order to retrieve your vehicle, you must pay the tow fees. These fees are paid directly to the tow company.
Tow fees:
- Basic tow (vehicles up to 10,000 lbs.) - $100.00
- Vehicles over 10,000 lbs. and up to 18,000 lbs. - $110.00
- Vehicles over 18,000 lbs. - $270.00
- Storage fee per day - $37.50
- Basic tow charge for all motor vehicles during a snow emergency - $120.00
Tow companies accept payment by cash, credit card, or guaranteed check.
Submit a Tow Dispute
If you believe your vehicle was invalidly towed, you may file a parking ticket dispute. The City of Cambridge does not tow vehicles without issuing a ticket. Tow disputes follow a similar process as ticket disputes.
To use the online form, you must provide:
- an email address
- a phone number
- the ticket number for the ticket that was issued when your vehicle was towed
- the license plate (vehicle registration) number
- your name and address
- the reason for the dispute
- supporting documentation
- a copy of the parking ticket that was issued when your vehicle was towed
- a copy of the receipt showing payment for the tow fees
When entering your ticket number, do not include spaces or hyphens.
The dispute will be reviewed and you will receive a letter when a decision is made.
You may also mail or deliver your tow dispute and/or receipt proving payment for the tow fees and a copy of the parking ticket to:
Attn: Tow Disputes
Traffic Parking & Transportation Department
City of Cambridge
344 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tow receipts and a copy of the parking ticket may also be sent to the attention of Tow Disputes via fax at 617-349-4747.
Tow Company Complaints
Complaints about the tow company should be directed to the company that towed your car. A copy of your complaint should also be sent to Purchasing Agent, Cambridge City Hall, 795 Mass Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139.