Arlington, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Occ. Code Ch. 2308 + city
- Local wrecker permit
- Required for non-consent tows
- Tow truck permit
- TDLR-issued, statewide
- Non-consent fee cap
- Set by TDLR rule
- Enforcement
- Arlington PD; TDLR penalties
Summary
A tow company running non-consent tows that originate in Arlington must register its wrecker with the city, and every tow truck must carry a state TDLR permit. Texas law lets Arlington regulate non-consent tow fees, but only up to the ceiling the state licensing commission sets.
A political subdivision may require the registration of a tow truck that performs a nonconsent tow in the political subdivision, regardless of whether the owner of the tow truck has a place of business in the territory of the political subdivision.
Full Breakdown
Non-consent towing in Arlington runs on two layers: the city's Wrecker Operations chapter and Texas Occupations Code Ch. 2308. A non-consent tow is any tow done without the vehicle owner's consent, a police-ordered incident tow or a tow off a private parking lot. Under Occ. Code § 2308.201(c), Arlington may require registration of any wrecker that performs a non-consent tow in the city, even operators based elsewhere. Separately, every tow truck needs a TDLR permit under § 2308.101, and drivers need a state tow operator license. Fees are capped by TDLR rule; Arlington can regulate non-consent tow charges only at or below that state maximum (§ 2308.202). Arlington Police and TDLR enforce.
Violations & Fines
Running a non-consent tow with an unregistered wrecker or an unpermitted tow truck exposes the operator to city citation and TDLR administrative penalties, and charging above the state fee cap is itself a chargeable violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a city permit to tow in Arlington?
Can Arlington set its own towing fees?
What counts as a non-consent tow?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Arlington to another location·View the Texas business licensing & operations overview
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Towing Companies in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle towing companies.