Anchorage, AK Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Base license fee
- $150/year
- PPI endorsement fee
- +$50/year
- Extra tow vehicle fee
- $20/vehicle
- License expires
- December 31 annually
- Rotational tows
- require APD program enrollment
Summary
Anyone towing vehicles in Anchorage, consensual, rotational, or nonconsensual, needs a municipal tow operator license, with a PPI endorsement required for nonconsensual private-party impounds.
Any person or entity providing towing services of vehicles on private or public property within the municipality is required to have a current tow operator's license from the municipal clerk.
B. Any person or entity providing nonconsensual tow services and private party impound (PPI) is required to have a current private party impound (PPI) endorsement from the municipal clerk, in addition to the tow operator's license.
C. Requirements for the different types of tow services are:
1. Nonconsensual tow and private party impound (PPI) services require a current tow operator license and a PPI endorsement.
2. Rotational tow services require a current tow operator license and participation in the rotational tow program administered through the Anchorage Police Department.
3. Consensual tow services require a current tow operator license.
D. A person providing towing services or private party impound (PPI) without the tow operator license, PPI endorsement, or rotational tow program participation required for the service is subject to a fine as set out in section 10.05.025C and the schedule of mandatory civil fines in section 14.60.030.
E. A person providing towing services with an expired tow operator license or providing private party impound (PPI) services with an expired PPI endorsement is subject to the fine set out in section 10.05.025C and the schedule of mandatory civil fines in section 14.60.030.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5010260; v11 updated 2026-09-01).
Full Breakdown
AMC 10.54.020 requires any person or entity providing towing services on private or public property in the Municipality of Anchorage to hold a current tow operator's license from the municipal clerk. Nonconsensual towing and private party impound (PPI) work additionally requires a PPI endorsement, and rotational towing requires enrollment in the Anchorage Police Department's rotational tow program. Licenses run on a calendar year, expiring December 31 regardless of issue date, and each towing vehicle must display a municipal license sticker on the lower-left windshield.
Violations & Fines
Towing without the required license, PPI endorsement, or rotational program participation draws a fine under AMC 10.05.025C and the mandatory civil fine schedule in AMC 14.60.030; the same fine applies for operating on an expired license or endorsement. Noncompliance also supports suspension or revocation of the license under AMC 10.54.100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a consensual tow still need a license?
What happens if my tow vehicle sticker isn't displayed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anchorage
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