Birmingham, AL Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

' Section 12-19-11 makes it unlawful for any towing or vehicle immobilization service, tow truck driver, or operator to work in the city without a license issued under the chapter, and unlawful for anyone to boot or tow a vehicle without complying with the article. Non-consensual towing requires written or photographic authorization from the property owner, lessee, or agent, not the tow company's own representative, under Section 12-19-72, and the operator must immediately phone the police non-emergency line with the vehicle description, tow location, and storage-facility address, then mail written notice to the registered owner within 24 hours, including the fee schedule.

00 for each 24-hour storage period, with no storage fee collectable for the first 24 hours at the yard. If the vehicle owner is present and able to drive away before the tow starts, no fee applies at all; if the vehicle has only been raised on go-jacks or hooked to the wrecker, the operator may charge no more than half the towing cap. 00, and release vehicles around the clock within one hour of payment under Section 12-19-75(g). Overcharging beyond the posted list is not collectible from the owner.