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

Town Code Chapter 66 makes it unlawful to conduct a towing business in the Town of Brookhaven, outside the incorporated villages, without first securing a license from the Commissioner of Public Safety (§ 66-3A). A licensee also needs a separate medallion for each tow truck it operates (§ 66-4), and any truck responding to accident calls must carry a valid medallion or the operator faces a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 (§ 66-3C). Applicants must submit fingerprints for a New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services background check, two 2-inch by 2-inch photographs taken within 60 days, the vehicle identification number and license plate for every truck, the address of every depot, garage or body shop to be used, and a list of licensed drivers with any felony or misdemeanor convictions (§ 66-5).

The Commissioner can deny a license if the applicant is found "undesirable," has an unfit criminal record, or the depot violates zoning, building or fire laws (§ 66-6B); a denial or suspension can be appealed to the Town Hearing Examiner and then to the Town Board within 14 days (§§ 66-6C, 66-28, 66-29). A license and medallion run for a two-year term ending December 31, renewal applications are due by September 1, and neither may be transferred to another person or vehicle (§§ 66-9, 66-10).

Nonaccident, impounded, and road-hazard tows dispatched off the Suffolk County Police Department roster are capped at $300, with no weekend or holiday surcharge (§ 66-16C), and operators must hand the vehicle owner a printed fee schedule and redemption procedure at the scene or by first-class mail within 24 hours (§ 66-16G). Towing a disabled or accident vehicle without a written authorization signed by the owner, or without direction from the police officer at the scene, violates § 66-30, and any signed authorization must be kept for six months and shown on demand to the vehicle owner or a Town or Suffolk County Police official. Roadside solicitation of towing work is separately banned under § 66-25.