Regina Impound Lot: How to Find a Towed Car and Get It Back

In Regina, most cars towed for parking or traffic offenses go to the City of Regina Storage Compound at 1200 Toronto Street. Regina Police say the registered owner gets a release form at police headquarters first, with proof of ownership. You pay all fines, the tow and daily storage before the car comes out. Move fast. After 30 days, the City treats the car as unclaimed and can sell it.

Was my car towed, moved, or stolen?

You come out of a downtown restaurant after a snowfall, and your spot on Victoria Avenue is empty. Don't assume the worst yet. Work through these steps in order.

1. Walk the block. Regina's Traffic Bylaw lets the City move a car that sits in the way of road work, street cleaning, snow removal or a declared snow route. In those cases, the car can be left on a nearby street, not taken to a lot.
2. Call Parking Services. The Parking Services Branch is at 306-777-6374. Ask if your plate was ticketed or towed.
3. Call Regina Police. The non-emergency line is 306-777-6500. Police can tell you if they seized the car or if it was towed for a traffic offense.
4. Report it stolen. If nobody has a record, report the theft on that same line. If you feel unsafe where you are, call 911.

Which kind of tow was it?

Regina has more than one path for a towed car. Each one starts in a different office. Find yours in this table before you head out.

Why it was towed	Where the car goes	Your first stop
Parking violation, traffic offense or equipment problem	City of Regina Storage Compound, 1200 Toronto Street	Regina Police, for a release form
Police seizure for evidence, or to take it from the driver	City of Regina Storage Compound, 1200 Toronto Street	Regina Police front desk, for a copy of the Police Seizure Report
Highway Traffic Board seizure or SGI impoundment	A towing compound	SGI, for a release certificate
Crash or theft, and the car can't be driven	SGI, 440 Fleet Street	Your SGI claim

Why would the City tow my car?

Section 91 of Traffic Bylaw 9900 lets police or Parking Services remove a car that's unlawfully parked. That covers streets, public parking lots, other public places and City property. Section 91.1 goes further. The City can seize and sell a car owned by someone with an unpaid fine.

These spots are common reasons for a ticket that starts the whole chain:

• In a traffic lane of any street.
• Within 10 meters of an intersection, unless a meter or sign allows it.
• Within 2 meters of a fire hydrant.
• Within 5 meters of a railway track.

What about a police or SGI seizure?

Some tows are about the driver, not the parking. Saskatchewan can impound a car for impaired driving, an unauthorized driver or some high-risk road offenses. The car does not have to belong to the driver. If you lent your car to a friend, it can still be held. Regina Police list examples like driving more than 50 km/h over the limit, racing, or failing to stop for police.

In those cases, the Highway Traffic Board controls the car, not the police. SGI usually mails the owner a notice, unless the car was taken at the scene. Call SGI Impounds at 775-6553 with questions.

How do I get my car out of the Toronto Street compound?

For a parking or traffic tow, Regina Police describe two stops. Do them in this order.

1. Go to Regina Police headquarters at 1717 Saskatchewan Drive. The registered owner brings proof of ownership, like the registration or a bill of sale. You get a release form.
2. Take that form to 1200 Toronto Street. Pay what you owe, and the car is released.

If police seized the car for evidence, it often works faster. Get a copy of the Police Seizure Report at the front desk. Take it to the compound and pay for the tow and storage.

What will I have to pay?

The City's vehicle seizures page lists every charge you must clear before release:

• Any outstanding fine amounts.
• Late payment charges and costs.
• Lien charges, if the City put a lien on your vehicle.
• The towing fee.
• Daily storage fees, set in the bylaw's fee schedule.

Storage adds up every day the car sits. Check the current amounts with Parking Services before you go. The City doesn't post the compound's hours online, so call ahead.

What if SGI impounded it?

At the end of the impoundment, buy a Vehicle Impoundment Release Certificate at any SGI license issuer. Take it to the garage holding the car. You pay the towing and storage there. To ask for an early release, call the Highway Traffic Board at 1-855-775-8336. The hearing happens by phone.

What happens if I wait too long?

The clock is short. Under Section 91, the City holds the car for 30 days at your cost. If you don't redeem it, the car is treated as lost or unclaimed property. The City can then sell it at public auction to recover its costs.

Watch your mailbox, too. The City mails an Intent to Sell Notice to the address on your registration. It lists what you owe and gives a pay-by date, 15 days after the notice. If you moved and never updated your registration, you may never see it. For questions about car auctions, Regina Police point people to City Salvage at 777-7686.

Can unpaid tickets lead to a tow later?

Yes. If a court fine for parking goes unpaid, the City can register a lien on any or all of your vehicles. You get a Notice of Lien at the address on your driver's license. After 15 days without payment, the City can seize, impound and sell those vehicles. Pay a ticket within 14 days to get the reduced amount. You can pay online, by mail, or at City Hall, 2476 Victoria Avenue, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekdays.

Can I just get my stuff out of the car?

Yes, with a form. Your work bag or child's car seat may be stuck inside. Get a Personal Property Release form at City Hall during business hours. Only the registered owner can get it, in person, with proof of ownership and photo ID. Once it's approved, take it to the storage compound. Show your ID again there. Only the owner can go to the car.

Do snow routes cause tows in winter?

Regina's January nights average about minus 20 Celsius, and snow routes start up after a big snowfall. The City declares one once at least 5 cm of snow falls, by 3 p.m. the day before. Then there's no parking on the route for 24 hours, from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. Routes include parts of Winnipeg Street, Victoria Avenue, Toronto Street, College Avenue, Broadway Avenue and 13th, 14th and 15th Avenue. Look for blue signs with a white snowflake. The Sweep&Plow app sends alerts.

My car won't start when I get it back. Now what?

A car can sit in the compound through a cold snap. By the time you pay, the battery may only click. Or the car came in after a crash and can't be driven home.

• Dead battery: ask for a jump start once the car is released to you. If it won't hold a charge, book a tow.
• Damage, a flat or no plates: book a car tow to your home or a repair shop.

Tell us the compound address and when the car will be released. Then you aren't waiting in the cold lot with paperwork in hand.

Can Sentinel get my car out of impound?

No. Sentinel doesn't do impounds, releases or private-property tows. You settle the fees and forms with the City, police or SGI. After that, we can help with the next step. Sentinel Towing is a towing and roadside network. A vetted local partner tow company does the job, for cars, SUVs, minivans and light pickups. We lock your price by text before anyone is sent. Then we check on you by text until your truck arrives. That's the Stay-With-You Promise. Our Regina towing page covers Ring Road, the Bypass and the towns nearby.

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

Regina Impound Lot Questions

Rules change, so check the official source before you rely on it. Sources: Regina Police: Parking, Cars and Traffic FAQ, Regina Police: Contact, City of Regina: Vehicle Seizures, City of Regina: Parking Ticket Payment, City of Regina: Snow Routes, Regina Traffic Bylaw 9900, Government of Saskatchewan: Vehicle Impoundment, Environment and Climate Change Canada normals.