Towed / Abandoned Vehicles

Vehicle Releases

All impounded vehicles and recovered stolen vehicles require a vehicle release form.
Officer standing next to van parked in a parking lot
Vehicles impounded will only be released to the registered owner. If you are not the registered owner, you will need to obtain a notarized letter authorizing release of the vehicle to you. The registered owner will need to identify you and the vehicle in the notarized letter. The letter must include your driver's license number, description of the car (make, model, year) and either the vehicle license plate number or vehicle identification (VIN) number.

Identification Requirement

The registered owner or authorized person picking up the car must have a valid driver's license or identification card issued by a State Department of Motor Vehicles. If you only have an identification card you must be accompanied by a person with a valid driver's license.

Fees

The Santa Rosa Police Department will not charge a fee to those persons retrieving a vehicle that has been stolen and recovered. There is a $200 release fee required for all impounded vehicles payable to the Santa Rosa Police Department. All towing and storage fees are payable to the towing company storing your vehicle. All registration fees on impounded vehicles must be current prior to release.

Property Release Forms

Property release forms can be obtained free of charge in order to retrieve personal property from the vehicle. If the person requesting the property release form is not the registered owner, he/she can only retrieve property from the vehicle that has his/her name on it.

Impounded Vehicle Release Forms

Impounded Vehicle release forms can be obtained during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays).

Post Storage Hearing

The owner of a vehicle has the right to a Post Storage Hearing. Please contact the Santa Rosa Police Department Traffic Bureau at 707-543-3600 to set up a hearing date.

Stolen Vehicles

Recovered Stolen Vehicle release forms can be obtained at any time.

More Information

For further assistance or questions regarding the release of impounded vehicles or recovered stolen vehicles, please contact the Santa Rosa Police Department Records Bureau at 707-543-3600.