Dallas property managers operate under some of the most detailed private-parking rules in the country. Texas spells out what your signs must say, how tow-away zones must be marked, and even prohibits property owners from profiting off the tow itself. Knowing the rules is the difference between clean enforcement and a lawsuit.

What Texas law says about towing from private property

Towing and booting on private property is governed by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308. For apartment parking facilities (§ 2308.253) and other private lots, the key requirements include:

  • Signs prohibiting unauthorized vehicles must display a phone number answered 24 hours a day so an owner can locate a towed vehicle or arrange boot removal.
  • Tow-away zones must be brightly painted and conspicuously marked with contrasting lettering.
  • Towing a vehicle for an expired or missing registration requires at least 10 days' written notice to the owner first.
  • A parking-facility owner may not receive financial gain from the towing or booting company (§ 2308.401).

Apartment communities have specific protections for vehicles that block gates, dumpster access, or fire lanes — these can be addressed faster, but still under the chapter's notice and signage framework.

How Dallas operators stay compliant and get paid

Texas rewards operators who can prove the vehicle was unauthorized and that proper notice was given. OpenParking builds that proof in automatically.

  • Plate-level permits. Every resident and guest registers their plate, so your officer checks authorization by plate before anything is towed or booted.
  • Notice you can document. Permit status and expiration are tracked per vehicle, so the 10-day registration-notice rule is backed by a real timeline, not memory.
  • QR-code signage. Post it at the lot to satisfy your notice obligation and let guests self-register and pay in one step.

Why Dallas properties choose OpenParking

Guests scan a QR code at your lot, register their plate, and pay directly to you — your property keeps 100% of the parking revenue, paid straight to your bank through Stripe. No middleman, no revenue share. Setup takes about five minutes; it is $50/month flat with a free 14-day trial.

This page is general information about Texas parking enforcement, not legal advice. Confirm current Chapter 2308 signage and notice requirements with a Texas attorney or your local ordinance before towing.