V.I.N. inspection.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 8-179
in effectSec. 8-179. - V.I.N. inspection.
(a) Each vehicle towed without the consent of the owner shall be inspected by the storage lot operator for the manufacturer's permanent vehicle identification number affixed to the vehicle prior to its acceptance into the nonconsent storage lot.
(b) It shall be unlawful for a nonconsent storage lot operator to accept and store a vehicle whose manufacturer's permanent vehicle identification number has been removed or is not permanently affixed or is not clearly legible or that, upon visual examination of the manufacturer's permanent vehicle identification number, shows any evidence whatsoever of its possibly having been changed, altered or obliterated in whole or in part.
(c) It shall be the duty of a nonconsent storage lot operator to immediately notify the auto dealers detail of the police department if it receives a vehicle with a vehicle identification number in a condition described in subsection (b) of this section.
(d) The provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall not apply when a police department auto theft division officer or supervisor provides a nonconsent storage lot operator with written authorization to accept a nonconsent tow from a police scene.
(Ord. No. 2022-151, § 4(Exh. A), 2-23-2022)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH8AUDEAUWR_ARTIIIAUWRSTYA_DIV3NOSTLO_SDBOPRURERE_S8-179V.INFetched: 10/26/2026