Prince Albert Impound: How the City Holds a Towed Car and How to Get It Back

If the City of Prince Albert towed or booted your car, you get it back at the Parking Counter on the main floor of City Hall, 1084 Central Avenue. It's open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring government ID and your registration, and pay every fine and fee. You have 30 days. After that, the City can sell the car at auction or scrap it.

Why would the City of Prince Albert tow my car?

The City seizes cars under Traffic Bylaw No. 35 of 2020. It can also act under The Traffic Safety Act, Highway Traffic Board rules and the Criminal Code. Most city tows come from three things.

• Bad parking. Parked too long, in a No Parking zone, blocking an alley or driveway, or in a spot that's a hazard to traffic.
• Unpaid tickets. You skipped the fines and the court date. The City says you get notice first.
• No plate or registration. A car on the street needs a valid plate or SGI permit. Bylaw can tow an unregistered car or trailer right away.

Some bylaw limits catch people off guard. You can't leave a car on one street for more than 48 hours in a row. And a car left on a jack, with a wheel off, or with the hood or trunk up can't sit unattended on a street for more than 3 hours. So a flat tire you plan to "deal with tomorrow" can turn into a tow.

The snow route trap

Winter is the other big one. When more than 4 inches of snow falls at once, the City can declare a parking ban on Priority 1 snow routes. It starts at 9:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m., and you must move your car right away. Under the bylaw, a car still parked there is illegally parked. It can be ticketed or towed.

If you live on a snow route, sign up for the City's Snow Route Parking Ban email alerts. Then park in the back lane or on a side street until the ban is lifted.

Can the City seize my car from a private lot?

Yes, in some cases. The City's impound page says cars can be booted and seized from both public and private property. The bylaw spells out where.

Why it was taken	Where the City can take it from
Parked against the bylaw	Any street, any public parking place, City property, or a private shopping center whose owner gave Council written permission
Parking fines in default	Any street, any public or commercial lot, City property, or any private property

That second row matters. If you owe old parking fines, the City can seize any car registered to you. It can take it from your own driveway or your work lot. It doesn't even need to charge you first. The bylaw says it can seize a car whether or not the owner is charged or convicted.

My car has a boot on it. Can I take it off?

No. The bylaw says nobody may tamper with or remove a boot. If you damage it, you pay for the damage. Call the City instead and find out what you owe.

Who do I call to find my car?

Call the City at 306-953-4330. That's the number the City lists to learn what you owe. If your car vanished from a street or a City lot, start there.

You should also get a paper trail. The bylaw says the City gives the owner a Notice of Seizure and Intention to Sell. It's handed to you or sent by registered mail. It goes to the address on your vehicle registration. Mailed notices count as received on the 7th day after mailing. A notice you never got does not cancel the seizure. If you moved and didn't update SGI, don't wait for the letter. Call.

What do I bring to City Hall?

Go to the Parking Counter, main floor, City Hall, 1084 Central Avenue. It's closed weekends and statutory holidays. So a car towed Friday night usually waits until Monday. Bring:

• A driver's license or other government ID
• A valid vehicle permit or registration
• Money for all unpaid parking fines
• Money for all impound and tow fees. The City calls these non-negotiable.
• An SGI Release form, if your case needs one
• Written permission from the owner, if someone else is picking up the car

The City takes cash, debit or credit card. It does not take personal checks for impounded cars.

Once you pay, the City books a time for you to go to the impound lot. The lot is in the North Industrial area, on the north side of the river. If you're coming from the south side, that means a trip over the Diefenbaker Bridge. Plan a ride.

What does a Prince Albert impound cost?

We won't quote numbers here, because fees change. Call 306-953-4330 for your exact total. Here's what goes into it, per the bylaw's impounding charges schedule:

• The actual cost of the tow
• An impound fee
• A storage fee, starting on day one and charged every day after
• Any unpaid parking fines and late charges
• If it heads to sale: advertising, an admin fee that covers a lien search, and a sales charge

Storage grows daily, so every weekday you wait adds to the bill. Parking tickets grow too. The City's fine table goes up after 10 days and again after 30 days.

What happens after 30 days?

The City holds a seized car for at least 30 days after the notice is deemed served. You, or someone you authorize in writing, can redeem it any time up to the sale date. After that, the City sells it at public auction or by tender, or it can be scrapped.

• If the sale brings in more than you owe, the City tells you. You must claim the extra within one year, or it goes to the City.
• If the sale brings in less, you still owe the City the rest. It can sue to collect.

What about my stuff inside?

The bylaw says the load is your job to protect. And when a car is seized for unpaid fines, the City isn't liable for loss or damage to the car or what's in it. Ask about your belongings when you call.

Does Sentinel do impounds in Prince Albert?

No. Sentinel doesn't do impounds or private property tows. We can't release your car or pay the City. Our part starts once the car is yours again.

A car that sat in the cold for days may not start at the lot. A jump start is the first try. If it still won't go, a car tow can take it from the North Industrial area to your home or a shop.

Sentinel Towing is a towing and roadside network. A vetted local partner tow company does the job. We text you a locked price before anyone is sent, then check on you by text until your driver arrives. That's our Stay-With-You Promise. For bridges, highways and winter driving around town, see our Prince Albert towing page.

Stuck right now? Call 1-888-TOW-1213, or request help online.

Prince Albert Impound Questions

Rules change, so check the official source before you rely on it. Sources: City of Prince Albert: Impound Lot, Traffic Bylaw No. 35 of 2020, City of Prince Albert: Pay a Parking Ticket, City of Prince Albert: Snow Route Parking Bans.