Filing a Complaint
The Board reviews and considers all complaints submitted by the public, law enforcement, another tow company, a consumer or client, a member of the public, state agency, or any one wishing to can file a complaint.
The Board may also initiate an investigation based on information it receives or observes, such as advertisements or an article in the newspaper.
To file a complaint:
2. Return the complaint form
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By email: compliance@towboard.oregon.gov
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By regular mail to: Oregon Tow Board, ICO Program Services, 1905 Lana Ave., NE, Salem, OR 97314
To expedite the handling of your complaint:
1. Please state the relevant facts of the towing event in the narrative portions of the complaint form.
2. The Complaint form, on Page 3, allows you to state your interpretation of the state laws and the tower's violations.
3. Please limit email attachments to the complaint form and the tower's invoice only. A separate, secure link will be provided to upload photos, videos, and other relevant documents to the complaint folder if necessary.
Please allow 30 days for Board staff to review the complaint materials.
General Information:
- Each state and local agency has authority granted under Oregon laws and rules. Not all towing laws and ordinances have been assigned to the Oregon State Board of Towing to administer.
- The Tow Board may investigate towing events to determine legal compliance or violations of the tower under ORS 822.250 - 822.290 and 822.995. The Tow Board has not been assigned ORS Chapter 819, motor vehicle codes, or criminal matters to administer.
- The Tow Board does not regulate law enforcement, government agencies, property owners or their representatives of agents and does not contest the validity of a tow authorized by a person or entity with the legal authority to identify and authorize a vehicle to be towed.
- Disputes or concerns over the validity or reason for the tow should be address with the entity or authority requesting and authorizing the tow or impound of the vehicle.
- Only the Tow Board members, at a public meeting or work session, may determine if the tower violated the laws assigned to the Board to administer, and vote for appropriate board action.
- The Tow Board is not a hearing board or court of law and cannot determine or award financial damages or restitution to the vehicle owner or demand or compel the immediate release of a vehicle or personal possessions.
Vehicle ownership and personal prperty:
- Vehicle ownership is determined by DMV computer and official records for the purpose of Tow Board investigations and determining tower compliance. A Bill of Sale, without additional documentation, may not be sufficient to determine ownership for release of a vehicle or personal property.
- A tower may require payment of the tow fees and charges before releaseing personal belongings, except the release of personal property to the vehicle owner defined in law as "emergency in nature" under ORS 98.852 to the titled vehicle owner of record.
Rates and Fees:
- The State of Oregon does not have statewide maximum rates or fees for towing and recovery services.
- Local jurisdictions and law enforcement may set maximum rates and fees, establish a tow rate or fee schedule, or require a tower to submit a rate sheet as part of a non-preference tow program.
- The local jurisdiction or law enforcement agency establishing maximum rates, fee schedules, or requiring compliance with a submitted rate sheet is responsible for establishing a process which the agency will received and respond to complaints. The Tow Board does not regulate the maximum rates or fee schedules established or required by other agencies.
- A Board complaint does not stay the impound process or daily storage charges. Towers may charge daily storage fees for each day the vehicle remains in the tow yard (unless otherwise required by local ordinance or jurisdiction.)