Quick Answer
The Calgary impound lot is located at 400 – 39 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB. It is managed by the Calgary Parking Authority. Towing fees range from $138 to $373 depending on vehicle type, plus daily storage of $32.76 – $65/day. Hours are weekdays 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Need your vehicle towed out of the impound lot? Call Calgary Towing at (587) 885-2326 for fast, affordable pickup.
Discovering that your vehicle has been towed to the Calgary impound lot can be stressful and confusing. Whether it happened because of a parking violation, an accident, or a police seizure, you need clear answers fast. In this complete guide, we cover everything Calgary drivers need to know about the Calgary city impound lot — from exact fees and location details to the documents you must bring and the fastest way to get your car back on the road.
As a trusted Calgary towing company operating 24/7 across the city, we help dozens of drivers every month recover their vehicles from impound. Below, we share everything we have learned so you can save time, money, and stress.
What Is the Calgary Impound Lot?
The Calgary Municipal Impound Lot is a secure facility operated by the Calgary Parking Authority (CPA). It stores vehicles that have been towed off public roads, private property, or seized by the Calgary Police Service (CPS). The facility is actively monitored by MacCon Public Safety to ensure vehicles remain secure and are only released to authorized individuals.
The CPA staff do not perform the towing themselves — that work is contracted out to towing operators such as CityWide Towing. Once a vehicle arrives at the impound lot, storage fees begin accumulating immediately, which is why acting quickly is critical to keeping costs down.
Common Reasons Vehicles Get Impounded in Calgary
Understanding why your vehicle was towed is the first step to getting it back. Here are the most common reasons Calgary drivers end up at the impound lot:
🚶 Parking Violations
Blocking fire lanes, no-parking zones, handicapped spots without permits, or ignoring snow route signs during snow removal.
🚗 Accidents & Collisions
Vehicles involved in collisions may be towed if they are obstructing traffic or need to be held for investigation by CPS.
🚫 Impaired Driving
Under Alberta’s Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) program, vehicles can be seized for 3 to 60 days depending on the severity of the offense.
🚧 Abandoned Vehicles
A vehicle left on a public road for an extended period without moving may be flagged as abandoned and towed to the impound lot.
🔓 Driving While Suspended
Driving without a valid licence or with expired registration/insurance can result in immediate impoundment under the Traffic Safety Act.
🏗 Private Property Towing
Parking in reserved stalls at condos, malls, or commercial lots without authorization. Property owners can call a tow company to remove your vehicle.
If your vehicle was towed after a car accident in Calgary, you may be able to have your insurance cover towing and storage costs — check your policy or call your provider right away.
How to Find Your Impounded Vehicle in Calgary
Your car is gone and you are not sure where it went. Here is what to do:
Check the Calgary Parking Authority Website
Visit calgaryparking.com and use their Vehicle Finder tool. Enter your licence plate number to see if your vehicle is at the Calgary impound lot. Note: it may take up to 48 hours for the system to update.
Call the Impound Lot Directly
Phone 403-537-7000 to confirm whether your vehicle is being held. Staff can provide fee estimates and tell you what documents to bring.
Call CPS Non-Emergency Line
If the Parking Authority does not have your vehicle, call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. They can confirm if your car was seized during an investigation or if it was reported stolen.
Check for Private Tow Signs
If you were parked on private property, look for posted signage in the parking area. These signs are legally required and will list the towing company’s name and phone number.
Calgary Impound Lot Location & Hours of Operation
📍 Calgary Municipal Impound Lot
| Address: | 400 – 39 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB |
| Phone: | 403-537-7000 |
| Weekdays: | 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| Weekends: | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Stat Holidays: | Closed |
| Transit: | Short walk from 39 Avenue CTrain Station |
| Payment: | Cashless — Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Debit, Certified Cheque, Money Order |
💡 Pro Tip: The impound lot is accessible by CTrain. If your car is not drivable, take the Red Line to 39 Avenue Station and walk over. Then call Calgary Towing’s 24-hour service at (587) 885-2326 to tow your vehicle home or to a mechanic.
Calgary Impound Lot Towing Fees (Current Rates)
Towing to the Calgary city impound lot is operated by CityWide Towing. Fees vary based on the reason for the tow and your vehicle type. Additional per-kilometre charges may apply for longer distances.
If your vehicle is an RV, oversized truck, or over 32 feet in length, additional charges may apply when extra resources are required for the tow. For details on general Calgary towing costs in 2026, see our complete pricing guide.
Daily Storage Fees & Additional Charges
Storage fees at the Calgary impound lot begin accumulating as soon as your vehicle arrives. The longer your car sits, the more you pay. Here is the current fee schedule:
⚠️ Warning: Fees add up fast. A standard parking-related tow with just 5 days of main lot storage will cost roughly $407 (towing $160 + storage $215 + admin $32). After 10 days, that number jumps past $622. Retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible to minimize costs.
Documents You Need to Pick Up Your Vehicle
The impound lot requires proper documentation before releasing any vehicle. If your documents are locked inside the car, staff will escort you to retrieve them. Here is what to bring based on your situation:
If the Vehicle Belongs to You
- Valid vehicle registration (or a valid in-transit permit)
- Valid driver’s licence (interim licence requires a second government-issued ID)
- Valid proof of insurance
If Someone Else Is Picking It Up
- Signed and dated letter of authorization from the registered owner
- Valid vehicle registration and proof of insurance
- Designate’s valid driver’s licence
- Copy or photo of the registered owner’s government-issued ID
If the Vehicle Needs to Be Towed Out
- Valid government-issued identification
- Valid registration (or expired registration/bill of sale)
- Tow truck company must be approved to enter the lot
- Vehicle must be removed within 2 hours of payment
If your vehicle is not drivable after being released, Calgary Towing offers flatbed towing in Calgary to safely transport your car to a mechanic or your home address.
How to Pick Up Your Vehicle: Step-by-Step
Confirm your vehicle’s location
Use the online Vehicle Finder or call 403-537-7000.
Gather your documents
Driver’s licence, registration, and proof of insurance.
Go to 400 – 39 Avenue SE during business hours
Weekdays 8 a.m.–10 p.m. or weekends 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Pay all fees in full
Cashless facility — Visa, MasterCard, Amex, debit, certified cheque, or money order.
Remove your vehicle within 2 hours
Failure to leave within 2 hours of payment results in additional fees.
If not drivable — arrange a tow
Call (587) 885-2326 and we will pick it up directly from the impound lot.
Need Your Vehicle Towed From the Impound Lot?
(587) 885-2326
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How Long Can a Vehicle Stay Impounded in Alberta?
The length of impoundment depends on why your vehicle was seized. Under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act and the Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) program, here are the standard durations:
For CPS seizures related to criminal investigations, your vehicle will not appear in the CPA system and can only be released with approval from the investigating officer. You can apply for a vehicle seizure review through the Alberta Government’s SafeRoads portal. The application fee is $50 and is non-refundable.
Your Rights as a Vehicle Owner
Even if your vehicle has been impounded, you still have important rights under Alberta law. Knowing these rights can help you avoid being overcharged or mistreated during the process:
- Right to retrieve personal items: You can access your vehicle to collect personal belongings (medications, wallets, work tools) even before paying impound fees. Bring valid ID and expect to sign a form.
- Right to an itemized invoice: The towing company and impound lot must provide a detailed breakdown of all charges. Never pay a lump sum without seeing an itemized bill.
- Right to choose your towing company: Under new Alberta towing regulations effective April 2026, you have the right to select which tow truck company transports your vehicle — you are not forced to use anyone specific.
- Right to dispute: If you believe your vehicle was unjustly impounded, you can contest the action through the Calgary Parking Authority for public tows or file a complaint for private property tows.
- Right to timely release: Once fees are paid and documentation is verified, the lot must release your vehicle without undue delay.
If you were involved in an accident and need help navigating insurance billing for towing, our team can assist you with the paperwork and process.
How to Reduce Your Impound Lot Costs
Every day your vehicle stays in the Calgary impound lot adds $32 to $65 in storage fees alone. Here are practical ways to save money:
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Act immediately — Retrieve your vehicle the same day if possible. Every day costs $43+.
- Check your insurance policy — Many policies cover towing and impound storage. Call your insurer before paying out of pocket.
- Apply for Fair Entry — Low-income Calgarians may qualify for subsidized storage fees through the City’s Fair Entry program.
- Don’t wait until the weekend — Weekend hours are shorter (10 a.m.–4 p.m.), meaning an extra day or two of storage if you miss the window.
- Have documents ready — Missing paperwork means a wasted trip and more storage fees.
- Consider donating — If the car is not worth the fees, you can donate it through programs like Kidney Car and receive a tax receipt.
City Impound vs. Private Property Towing
Not all towed vehicles end up at the Calgary city impound lot. Understanding the difference matters because the process for retrieval is different:
Municipal Impound Lot
- Managed by Calgary Parking Authority
- Location: 400 – 39 Ave SE
- Use online Vehicle Finder to locate
- Standardized fee schedule
- Call 403-537-7000
Private Towing Company Lot
- Arranged by property owner/manager
- Check signage for tow company info
- Fees vary by company
- Must follow Alberta Consumer Protection Act
- Can dispute if no signage was posted
Whether your vehicle was towed publicly or privately, you can always call our roadside assistance team for help navigating the process and arranging transport once your vehicle is released.
How to Avoid Getting Your Vehicle Impounded
Prevention is always cheaper than the impound lot. Here are practical steps every Calgary driver should follow:
- Always read parking signs carefully — especially downtown and near C-Train stations.
- Download the MyParking app to pay for and extend your parking sessions remotely.
- Keep your vehicle registration and insurance up to date at all times.
- Pay parking tickets promptly — accumulated unpaid fines can trigger impoundment.
- During winter snow removal periods, move your vehicle off designated snow routes.
- Use a designated driver or rideshare to avoid impaired driving seizures.
- On private property, get explicit permission before parking in reserved stalls.
If your car does break down and you need it moved before it gets flagged as abandoned, call our car breakdown towing service to have it relocated quickly.
Need a Tow Truck at the Calgary Impound Lot?
Many vehicles released from the Calgary impound lot are not in drivable condition — especially those seized after collisions, mechanical failures, or extended storage. That is where Calgary Towing comes in.
We are approved to operate at the impound lot and regularly help drivers transport their vehicles from 400 – 39 Avenue SE to mechanics, body shops, dealerships, or home addresses across Calgary and surrounding areas including Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks.
Our services include:
- Flatbed towing for damaged or non-running vehicles
- Heavy-duty towing for trucks, diesels, and large vehicles
- Motorcycle towing for bikes released from impound
- Accident recovery towing for collision-damaged vehicles
- Long-distance towing if you need the vehicle moved outside Calgary
Frequently Asked Questions About the Calgary Impound Lot
Where is the Calgary impound lot located?
The Calgary Municipal Impound Lot is located at 400 – 39 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB. It is a short walk from the 39 Avenue CTrain Station on the Red Line. The phone number is 403-537-7000.
How much does it cost to get a car out of impound in Calgary?
Towing fees range from $138 to $373 depending on vehicle type and reason for the tow. Daily storage fees are $32.76 to $65 per day, plus a $32 administration fee. The total depends on how long the vehicle has been stored.
What are the hours of the Calgary impound lot?
The impound lot is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is closed on statutory holidays.
What documents do I need to pick up my impounded vehicle?
You need a valid driver’s licence, valid vehicle registration (or in-transit permit), and valid proof of insurance. If someone else is picking up the vehicle, they need a signed authorization letter and a copy of your government ID.
Can I get my personal belongings from an impounded car?
Yes. You have the right to access your vehicle to retrieve personal items such as medications, wallets, and work tools even before paying impound fees. Bring valid identification and visit during business hours.
How long can a car stay in impound in Calgary?
For parking violations, you can pick up your car right away. For driving offenses under Alberta’s IRS program, impoundment ranges from 3 days (first DUI offense) up to 60 days (refused breathalyzer or repeat offenses). Unclaimed vehicles may be auctioned after 30 to 60 days.
Does the Calgary impound lot accept cash?
No. The Calgary impound lot is a cashless facility. They accept Visa (debit/credit), MasterCard (debit/credit), American Express, Discover, Debit, certified cheques, and money orders made out to The City of Calgary.
Can I dispute a tow if my car was taken from private property?
Yes. If there were no visible signs authorizing towing on the private property, you may be able to dispute the tow. Take photos, gather witness information, and file a complaint with Alberta Consumer Protection or through small claims court.
Is there financial help for impound fees in Calgary?
Yes. The Calgary Parking Authority offers an Impound Lot Storage Support program through the City’s Fair Entry program. Low-income Calgarians may qualify for subsidized storage fees. Visit calgary.ca to learn more and apply.
Can I have a tow truck pick up my vehicle from the impound lot?
Yes. If your vehicle is not drivable, you can arrange for an approved tow truck company to pick it up from the impound lot. The vehicle must be removed within 2 hours of payment. Call Calgary Towing at (587) 885-2326 for fast, affordable impound lot pickup.
Calgary Towing — Impound Lot Vehicle Pickup
Fast, affordable towing from the Calgary impound lot to anywhere in Calgary. Available 24/7.
(587) 885-2326