The best tow-away sign for 2026 is a 12 x 18 inch 0.080 inch aluminum panel with a legend that satisfies Oregon ORS 98.812 verbatim: notice that vehicles parked in violation will be towed at the owner's expense, the phone number of the tow contractor performing the removal, and posting at every property entrance and at intervals visible from any stall. Below are seven ranked spec picks for typical Oregon commercial property tow-enforcement applications.
What Makes a Tow-Away Sign "Best"?
Five criteria separate enforceable tow-away signage from threats that tow contractors will not act on:
- ORS 98.812 wording -- the exact statutory language for private-property tow authority
- Tow contractor phone number -- on the panel face or on a paired addendum
- Substrate -- 0.080 inch aluminum minimum
- Sheeting grade -- ASTM D4956 Type III for night visibility
- Posting density -- every entrance plus visible intervals from any stall
For broader background, see best private property signs.
The 7 Best Tow-Away Sign Picks
1. Standard ORS 98.812 Tow-Away Sign
The reference spec. 12 x 18 inch 0.080 inch aluminum panel with the legend "TOW AWAY ZONE -- VIOLATORS WILL BE TOWED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE -- [tow contractor phone]." Single panel, full statutory wording, with the contractor's phone integrated into the artwork.
- Substrate: 0.080 in aluminum
- Sheeting: ASTM D4956 Type III
- Size: 12 x 18 in
- Best for: any private-property tow zone
2. Tenant Parking Only + Tow Addendum
Two-panel kit. Primary 12 x 18 inch "TENANT PARKING ONLY" sign on top, 6 x 12 inch tow-warning addendum below carrying the ORS 98.812 wording and tow contractor's phone number. Used at apartment and HOA properties where the violation is "non-tenant parked."
- Primary: 12 x 18 in tenant-only panel
- Addendum: 6 x 12 in ORS 98.812 wording
- Best for: apartment, HOA, multifamily
3. R7-1 No Parking + Tow Addendum
Federal MUTCD R7-1 ("No Parking Any Time") panel paired with 6 x 12 inch tow-warning addendum. Used at fire-lane edges, drive aisles, and hydrant zones where the violation is "parked at all."
- Primary: R7-1 federal panel
- Addendum: 6 x 12 in ORS 98.812 wording
- Best for: drive aisles, fire-lane edges, hydrant zones
4. 18 x 24 in High-Visibility Tow-Away Sign
Upsized panel for long-sightline tow zones -- typically those running through industrial yards, large retail parking lots, or freeway-adjacent properties.
- Size: 18 x 24 in
- Substrate: 0.080 in aluminum
- Sheeting: ASTM D4956 Type III or IX
- Best for: industrial, large retail, freeway-adjacent
5. Property-Entrance Tow Notice
Front-entrance sign for properties with active tow contracts. Includes the property name, the ORS 98.812 wording, and the tow contractor's phone number. Posted at every driveway approach to satisfy the entrance-posting requirement.
- Substrate: 0.080 in aluminum
- Custom property + ORS legend
- Best for: every entrance to a tow-enforced property
On a 14,000 sq-ft Springfield apartment property where Cojo replaced 24 perimeter signs in March 2026, four front-entrance Tow Notice signs were spec'd as the perimeter coverage layer. Without them, the property would have failed the ORS 98.812 entrance-posting requirement and the tow contractor would not have enforced.
6. Diamond-Grade Tow-Away Sign
Standard tow-away wording on diamond-grade ASTM D4956 Type IX sheeting. Brightest retroreflectance available. Specify for long-sightline tow zones and freeway-adjacent retail.
- Substrate: 0.080 in aluminum
- Sheeting: ASTM D4956 Type IX
- Best for: long-sightline lots, freeway-adjacent retail
7. Branded Property + Tow Notice Combo
Premium for branded multifamily and hospitality. Single 18 x 24 inch panel combining property branding (color, logo, name) with the ORS 98.812 tow-warning legend.
- Substrate: 0.080 in aluminum
- Custom branded artwork + ORS legend
- Best for: branded multifamily, hospitality, premium retail
How Do You Choose Between Them?
Match the spec to the property:
| Property Type | Recommended Picks |
|---|---|
| Apartment / multifamily perimeter | #2 + #5 |
| HOA single-family / townhome | #2 + #5 |
| Drive aisle, fire-lane edge | #3 |
| Industrial / large retail | #4 |
| Front entrance of any tow-enforced property | #5 |
| Long sightline, freeway-adjacent | #6 |
| Branded multifamily / hospitality | #7 + #2 |
What Does ORS 98.812 Actually Require?
Oregon ORS 98.812 authorizes private-property towing only when the property is signed correctly. The statute specifies:
- Notice -- the sign must include explicit notice that vehicles parked in violation will be towed at the owner's expense.
- Tow contractor phone number -- on the sign face or paired addendum, identifying the contractor performing the removal.
- Posting at entrances -- every property entrance must have a tow-warning sign visible to entering drivers.
- Visibility from stalls -- additional signs placed so a driver can read at least one tow-warning sign from any stall on the property.
A sign without the contractor's phone number does not satisfy the statute. A property without entrance signs does not satisfy the statute. The Oregon Department of Justice has published consumer-facing materials on private-property towing that property managers should review.
Industry Baseline Range
| Item | Baseline Range |
|---|---|
| #1 Standard ORS Tow-Away Sign | $40 to $90 |
| #2 Tenant Parking + Tow Addendum (kit) | $55 to $130 |
| #3 R7-1 + Tow Addendum (kit) | $55 to $115 |
| #4 18 x 24 in High-Visibility | $70 to $145 |
| #5 Property-Entrance Tow Notice | $80 to $185 |
| #6 Diamond-Grade Tow-Away | $65 to $130 |
| #7 Branded + Tow Notice Combo | $130 to $325 |
| Installed (any pick + post + footing) | $215 to $625+ |
Current Market Reality
Multi-sign tow-away install jobs in 2026 routinely include both perimeter and entrance signs as a single crew job. The bundled install moves the per-sign cost down compared with one-off installs. Tow contractor phone numbers can be updated by replacing only the addendum panel when contractors change, which keeps the rest of the sign in service.
Practical Recommendation
For Oregon apartment and HOA property managers, the working spec is #5 (Property-Entrance Tow Notice) at every driveway approach plus #2 (Tenant Parking Only + Tow Addendum) along the perimeter at every 50 feet. For drive-aisle no-parking zones, add #3 (R7-1 + Tow Addendum). All on 0.080 inch aluminum with ASTM D4956 Type III sheeting. Verify the tow contractor's phone number on every panel and reorder when the contractor changes.
For the broader hub, see the parking signs buyer's guide. For ranked no-parking picks, see best no parking signs. For striping context on apartment lots, see apartment HOA parking lot striping. For Portland-area installs, see parking sign installation in Portland, Oregon or get a custom quote.