Chino, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit cap
- Three operators, more at chief's discretion
- Population ratio
- One permit per 20,000 residents max
- Scope
- Governs police-initiated, non-consent tow calls only
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. 99-13, § 2, 1999; amended 2023
Summary
Chino caps police-initiated, non-consent tow companies at a limited number of permits and bars any tow operator from responding to a police call without one.
A.The chief of police may issue nonexclusive tow service permits to three tow service operators to provide for the towing and storage of motor vehicles.B.No tow service operator may respond to any call for service initiated by an officer of the Chino police department, or authorized dispatcher thereof, without first having obtained a tow service permit from the chief of police. ... The number of tow service permits issued shall not exceed one for every twenty thousand of population in the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Chino Municipal Code Section 5.36.030 lets the police chief issue nonexclusive tow service permits: three initially, with more allowed at the chief's discretion up to one permit for every twenty thousand residents. No tow service operator may respond to a call for service initiated by a Chino police officer or dispatcher without first holding a permit; this governs non-consent, police-directed tows, not owner-requested towing. Chapter 5.36 separately requires permitted operators to carry set insurance minimums, maintain specific equipment and secured storage, and rotate calls fairly among permit holders. Adopted by Ord. 99-13, § 2, 1999, amended by Ord. 2023-003, § 2, 2023.
Violations & Fines
Responding to a Chino police tow call without a valid permit, or violating permit conditions on equipment, insurance, records or fee remittance, is grounds for permit suspension or revocation under Section 5.36.150.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any tow company respond to a Chino police tow call?
How many tow permits does Chino issue?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
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