Rules
Saskatoon Impound Lot: How to Find a Towed Car and Get It Back
In Saskatoon, a missing car was often just moved for street sweeping or snow removal. Check the City's Find My Vehicle search first. If the City seized it, the car is at the Municipal Impound Lot, 150 Jonathon Avenue. Bring government ID and valid registration. Pay all fines and fees by debit or credit card, since the lot takes no cash. Call 306-657-8526 with questions.
Was my car moved, seized, or stolen?
You walk out of the house on a fall morning, and the curb is empty. In Saskatoon, there are three likely answers. Work through them in this order.
- It was moved down the block. When a car sits in the way of street sweeping or snow removal, the City tows it to a nearby street. It does not go to the impound lot. Search Find My Vehicle, or call Parking Services at 306-975-2548.
- It was seized. Seized cars go to the Municipal Impound Lot on Jonathon Avenue. Call the lot at 306-657-8526 and give your plate.
- Nobody has it. If the City has no record, call Saskatoon Police at 306-975-8300, the non-emergency line. If you feel unsafe where you are, call 911.
Parking Enforcement Dispatch also runs a line around the clock: 306-975-8344. That helps late at night, when the other offices are closed.
Why does Saskatoon tow or seize a car?
The City's Impounding Bylaw 8640 lists four main reasons. Knowing which one applies tells you what you need to fix.
- No registration. A car on the street needs current registration and a plate on display. The City can impound an unregistered vehicle or trailer right away.
- Unpaid parking tickets. First you get a Notice of Pending Summons, then a Summons with a court date. If you skip court, a final conviction letter arrives. After that letter, the City can take the car with no more warning.
- A Traffic Bylaw problem. Parking too long, blocking an alley or driveway, a No Parking zone, or parking in a way that's hazardous.
- A sweeping or snow route. These cars get moved to a nearby street, not seized.
The City can boot or seize a car from public streets and from private property. The bylaw also sets heavy fines for anyone who tampers with a boot or gets in the way of a seizure. Don't try to drive off with a boot on.
Which street parking rules catch people?
Most seizures start as small tickets. Under Traffic Bylaw 7200, your car can stay on a city street for up to 72 hours, unless a sign says less. Park at least 10 meters from a corner. Leave 1 meter from a driveway or alley, and 1 meter from the center of a hydrant. Keep your tires within 30 centimeters of the curb.
Is fall sweeping season about to move my car?
Yes, it could be soon. The City says fall sweeping starts in mid-October. Watch for yellow No Parking signs on your street, mostly in neighborhoods with lots of trees. Move your car by 7 a.m. on your sweep day, so crews can reach the curb lane.
If you leave it, you can get a ticket, a move to a nearby street, or both. The City's street sweeping page has neighborhood maps. If it shows "no date set" for your address, your street won't be swept this fall. Questions go to the Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476.
What about snow removal in winter?
Saskatoon nights get cold. The January average low at the airport is about minus 21 Celsius. Snow piles up in the parking lane, and the City comes back later to haul it away. Before that work, crews post yellow paper No Parking signs with a start date.
- Local streets: the ban starts at 7 a.m., Monday to Saturday. It stays until the work is done and the signs come down.
- Priority streets: the ban starts at 7 p.m., seven days a week, because crews work there at night.
- Overnight on local streets: if the signs are still up and the work isn't done, you may park there from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Read the start time on the sign itself. A car still parked when crews start gets moved to a nearby street. Check Find My Vehicle before you panic.
How do I get my car out of the Jonathon Avenue lot?
Seized cars are released at 150 Jonathon Avenue. Plan your trip around the release cutoffs, not the closing time.
| Day | Open | Last release |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:45 p.m. |
| Saturday | 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. | 3:45 p.m. |
| Sunday and holidays | Closed | None |
You don't need an appointment during public hours. The City does encourage you to book one at 306-657-8526.
What do I bring to the impound lot?
- A valid driver's license or other government ID.
- A valid registration for the vehicle. If it was seized for no registration, register it first.
- Money to pay every outstanding parking fine.
- Money to pay all impound and tow fees. The City calls these non-negotiable.
Pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, a prepaid credit card, or debit. The lot does not take cash. The bill has four parts: the actual tow cost, an impound fee, a storage fee for each day, and an administration fee. The current amounts are on the City's vehicle seizures page. Because storage adds up daily, go as soon as you can.
What happens if I wait too long?
You have 30 days from the day the car was impounded. In that time, pay the tickets or register the car. After 30 days, the City may sell it at public auction or scrap it. The money first covers the tow and lot costs, then your tickets. If tickets are still unpaid after that, the City may seize another vehicle of yours.
My car won't start at the impound lot. Now what?
A car can sit at the lot through a cold snap, and the battery quits. The City won't let anyone repair a car on site. You also can't bring a friend's truck to boost or pull it. Only a licensed recovery service, like a tow company, can help there. Any other non-running car has to be towed off the lot.
- Dead battery: ask for a jump start once the car is released. If it won't hold a charge, book a tow instead.
- Crash damage or no registration yet: book a car tow to your home or a shop.
- Stuck at the curb back home: if a plow ridge traps your car next to the road, a winch-out can pull it free.
Leave time before the release cutoff. A tow that shows up after 6:45 p.m. on a weekday is too late.
Can Sentinel get my car out of impound?
No. Sentinel doesn't do impounds or releases. You handle the fees and papers with the City. After that, Sentinel 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, and we check on you by text until your truck arrives. The Stay-With-You Promise spells it out. Our Saskatoon towing page covers Circle Drive, the bridges and the towns nearby.
Stuck right now? Call 1-888-TOW-1213, or request help online.
Saskatoon Impound Lot Questions
Where is the Saskatoon impound lot?
The Municipal Impound Lot is at 150 Jonathon Avenue, Saskatoon. It's open weekdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 4 p.m. It's closed Sundays and holidays. The phone number is 306-657-8526.
Can I pay cash at the Saskatoon impound lot?
No. The lot takes debit, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and prepaid credit cards only. You must pay all parking fines and all impound and tow fees before the car is released.
My car was moved for snow removal. Do I owe impound fees?
Cars in the way of snow removal or sweeping get moved to a nearby street, not the impound lot. Search Find My Vehicle or call 306-975-2548 to find it. You may still get a parking ticket.
Can my brother bring his truck to boost my car at the lot?
No. The City says personal vehicles can't be used at the lot. Only a licensed recovery service, like a tow company, can boost a battery or move the car for you.
Rules change, so check the official source before you rely on it. Sources: City of Saskatoon: Vehicle Seizures, Understanding Parking in Saskatoon, Street Sweeping, Roadways Emergency Response Plan, Saskatoon Police Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada normals.
