Burlington, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Chapter 16 splits enforcement: the Burlington Police Department administers removal of vehicles from public streets and city property, while code enforcement staff handle private property, and § 16-3(b) lets the city contract with private towing operators to remove, store and dispose of vehicles. Before a tow, § 16-8 requires mailed notice (or notice affixed to the vehicle if the owner cannot be found) stating why the vehicle is subject to removal and that it will be towed fourteen days after the postmark or affixing date, unless the code enforcement officer or police find a special need for prompt action, such as a vehicle blocking a business entrance or creating a traffic hazard.

Once towed, § 16-9(b) requires the private towing operator to comply with post-towing notice procedures under Chapter 20, Article 7A of the North Carolina General Statutes. Under § 16-10, an owner may ask an Alamance or Guilford County magistrate for a probable-cause hearing within seventy-two hours of the request; if the magistrate finds the tow was in error, the city must order the vehicle released and pay the towing operator's charges, or reimburse the owner if the vehicle was already reclaimed, with an appeal available to district court.

Section 16-11 lets an owner redeem the vehicle at any stage by paying accrued towing and storage fees, or by posting bond for double that amount. An unclaimed vehicle is disposed of under Article 1 of Chapter 44A of the General Statutes per § 16-12.