VEHICLE TOWAWAY.
Madison General Ordinances § 12.1331
in effect12.1331 - VEHICLE TOWAWAY.
(1) The City of Madison Police Department and Department of Transportation are authorized to take any action authorized by Wis. Stat. §§ 349.13(3), 349.13(3m), 342.40(3), and 341.65(2), in addition to exercising any other lawful authority or duties with respect to the removal of vehicles from highways and public and private property within the City of Madison. The City of Madison Fire Department is authorized to tow, direct the towing of, or contract for the towing of any vehicle found in violation of Section 34.503(1)(b) of the Madison General Ordinances, in addition to exercising any other lawful authority or duties with respect to the removal of vehicles. For purposes of this section, "tow" and "towing" means to move or remove a vehicle to a place where parking is permitted or to either private or public parking or storage premises or direct or contract for the same. (Am. by Ord. 12,924, 11-23-01; ORD-10-00083, 9-15-10)
(2) Police Authorized Parking Zones. No person shall park, stop or leave standing any vehicle at any time upon any of the following highways or parts of highways, such areas being set aside for the exclusive temporary storage of police authorized towed vehicles.
(a) On the south side of West Washington Avenue from a point 565 feet east of South Park Street to a point 265 feet east therefrom. (Am. by Ord. 13,132, 8-28-02; Ord. 13,371, 7-22-03)
(3) Towing Charge Forfeiture. Pursuant to its authority under Wis. Stat. §§ 349.13(3), 349.13(3m), 342.40(3), and 341.65(2), the City of Madison hereby establishes a towing charge forfeiture. Whenever a vehicle is lawfully towed by or at the direction of the Police Department, Fire Department, or Department of Transportation, the owner or operator of the towed vehicle shall forfeit one hundred fifteen dollars ($115). This forfeiture shall be in addition to any other charges which may be lawfully charged to the owner or operator of the vehicle for the cost of removal, impounding, immobilization, storage or disposal of said vehicle. (Am. by Ord. 12,924, 11-23-01; ORD-16-00012, 1-28-16; Am. by ORD-23-00119, 12-19-23; Am. by ORD-24-00020, 3-29-24)
(4) No Stopping, Standing, Parking in Commuter Lane Towaway Zones. No person shall park, stop or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, on any street or portion of a street that is designated a "commuter lane," "commuter zone," or "towaway zone" by posting of official traffic sign(s) which identify the "commuter lane" or "commuter zone" or "towaway zone," indicate the parking restriction(s), and that the vehicle may be towed for violating the restriction(s). Any person violating this subsection shall forfeit not less than one hundred fifteen dollars ($115) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500). (Cr. by Ord. 12,759, 2-7-01; Am. by ORD-23-00119, 12-19-23)
(5) Rate Adjustment. Beginning in the year 2025 and once every two years thereafter, the Transportation Commission shall review the forfeiture amount set forth in Sections (3) and (4) above and may increase the forfeiture amount. (Cr. by ORD-23-00119, 12-19-23)
(Sec. 12.1331 Am. by Ord. 11,878, 6-13-97) (Am. by ORD-23-00097, 10-26-23)
Source: City of Madison, Wisconsin, Madison General Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORMAWIVOIICH11--19_CH12VECO_GERESTPA_12.1331VETOFetched: 11/1/2026