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Albany, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

License fee
$75/year per tow truck
Max non-consent tow
$150 (10,000 lbs or less)
Max storage charge
$35/day after 24 hours
Owner can stop tow
before truck is in motion
Licensing authority
Chief of Police

Summary

Albany requires anyone operating a towing company or routinely towing vehicles for hire within the city to hold a $75 annual license issued by the Chief of Police, covering non-consent, police-ordered, and private-lot tows.

Except as hereinafter set forth, no person shall maintain or operate a towing company or routinely operate a towing vehicle for hire within the City of Albany without first having obtained a towing license.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4873446; v61 updated 2026-03-18; through 03-18-2026).

Full Breakdown

Albany City Code § 353-51 bars anyone from operating a towing company or routinely towing vehicles for hire in the city without a license from the Chief of Police, who investigates the applicant's background and storage site before issuing one. Licensed companies must cap non-consent tows at $150 (10,000 lbs or less), $25 for dollying, and $55/hour for winching, and must let a vehicle owner who arrives before the truck is in motion stop the tow: except between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., when the company can charge up to $20 instead.

Violations & Fines

Operating a towing company without a Chief of Police license, or towing a vehicle after the owner arrives and asks to stop before the truck moves, violates City Code Ch. 353.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop a tow truck from towing my car in Albany?
Yes: under § 353-65(E), if you arrive before the truck is in motion and can fix the problem, the operator must let you go, though a $20 fee applies for calls between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m.
How much can an Albany towing company charge for a non-consent tow?
Up to $150 for vehicles under 10,000 lbs, plus $25 for dollying and $55/hour for winching, per City Code § 353-63.
Does a private lot need a sign to have cars towed in Albany?
Yes: lots with 5+ spaces must post a tow-warning sign at the entrance under § 353-60, or the tow isn't authorized.

Sources & Official References

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