Atlanta, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- License issued by
- the Mayor's office
- Nonconsensual tow/storage fee cap
- $125.00 total
- License revoked after
- 3 article violations
- Driver permit fee
- $5.00, renews each December
- Registration renews
- June 1-30 annually
Summary
Atlanta requires wreckers and trespass-tow operators to hold a mayor-issued license, register every vehicle with police, and cap nonconsensual towing fees at $125 under city and state rules.
It shall be unlawful for any person, either as principal, agent or employee, to use or operate upon any of the streets of the city a wrecker or to do any trespass towing (as defined in O.C.G.A. § 44-1-13) without having obtained a license granted by the mayor as provided in this section.
Full Breakdown
No one may operate a wrecker or do trespass towing on city streets without a license from the mayor, granted after a written application to the chief financial officer and review by the police department and license review board. Every wrecker must also be registered with the police department, and drivers must be fingerprinted and permitted. Three violations of the towing article trigger automatic license revocation, appealable to the license review board within 20 days.
Violations & Fines
Operating unlicensed, unregistered, or with an unpermitted driver is unlawful under Sec. 162-222/162-223/162-226. Three article violations cause automatic license revocation (Sec. 162-225(b)); revoked operators cannot reapply for one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much can an Atlanta tow company charge for a nonconsensual tow?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Atlanta
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