Can an HOA tow without warning?

Quick answer. Usually no. Most states require posted signage and prior notice before an HOA can tow a vehicle from common-area parking. Florida Statute 715.07, for example, requires signs at every entrance and every 25 feet, and at least 24 hours' written notice to the registered owner before a non-emergency tow. The narrow exceptions where no warning is required are fire lanes, handicapped-only spaces, vehicles blocking ingress or egress, and (in most states) vehicles parked on private property without permission when the owner cannot be identified within a reasonable time.

The four-bucket framework

• Fire lane / handicapped / blocking access: tow immediately, no warning required, in every state. This is a safety exception, not a rule exception.
• Unauthorized vehicle, identifiable owner: warning required (typically 24h written notice) in most states.
• Unauthorized vehicle, unidentifiable owner (no plate, expired plate): shorter or no notice required — most state statutes treat this as a near-abandoned condition.
• Abandoned vehicle (60+ days, no plates, undriven): follow state abandoned-vehicle statute, typically requires DMV lookup and posted notice for 7–30 days.

What "warning" actually has to look like

It is not enough to send a board email or post a flyer in the elevator. Most state statutes require: (1) signage at the parking-area entrance meeting specific size/visibility requirements; (2) a written notice physically affixed to the vehicle or mailed to the registered owner at the address on file with the state DMV; (3) a specific number of hours' lead time (commonly 24 or 48); (4) identification of the towing company and where the vehicle will be stored.

Penalty for towing without proper warning

Florida 715.07: $100 + actual damages + attorney's fees, payable to the vehicle owner. Many other states have similar statutory damages plus exposure to conversion claims (a civil tort) for the value of the vehicle and any contents. HOAs that get this wrong frequently end up paying more than the original violation would have ever yielded.