Chula Vista, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing authority
- Chula Vista Police Chief
- Extra requirement
- Applicant/employee fingerprints, photos
- Selection method
- City Council resolution for police tows
- Denial appeal
- City Council public hearing, final
- Suspension appeal
- City Manager per Ch. 1.40 CVMC
Summary
Chula Vista requires any owner or operator of a private tow car or tow truck to hold a special Police Chief-issued license in addition to a standard business license before towing vehicles for the City. The Chief investigates each applicant's background before approving.
Any Owner or operator of any private tow car or tow truck service shall be required to obtain a special license under the provisions of this section in addition to the normal business license. Said license shall be issued upon application to the Police Chief and shall be subject to his approval. The Police Chief, or other properly designated officer, shall make an investigation of the Applicant's background and business propriety and shall require the Applicant and, upon the discretion of the Police Chief, the employees to furnish fingerprints and photographs.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3623, passed May 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
58, on top of the normal business license, issued upon application to the Police Chief and subject to the Chief's approval; the Chief or a designated officer investigates the applicant's background and business propriety and may require fingerprints and photographs from the applicant and, at the Chief's discretion, employees. 030 explains the regulatory scheme: the City Council may by resolution authorize selected tow companies for emergency and nonemergency police towing, and any company not selected is prohibited from towing vehicles that are illegally parked, apparently abandoned, involved in an accident, or obstructing traffic because of mechanical failure, though a vehicle owner may still designate any towing service of their choice.
050 lets the Police Chief refuse a license if an investigation shows the applicant's business practice would endanger the public health, safety, or morals of the community, with refusal appealable to the City Council after a public hearing whose decision is final. 080) sections were repealed by Ord. 2314 in 1989 and folded into that indemnification section.
Violations & Fines
A licensee who violates or causes or permits a violation of Chapter 5.58 may have the license suspended by the Police Chief, who must notify the licensee in writing of the cause and reason for the suspension (CVMC 5.58.090). The licensee may appeal the suspension to the City Manager under Chapter 1.40 CVMC. A tow company not selected under the City's resolution process is separately barred from performing police-directed towing of illegally parked, abandoned, accident, or mechanically disabled vehicles under CVMC 5.58.030.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a tow company need a special City license to operate in Chula Vista?
Can any tow company respond to a police-directed tow in Chula Vista?
On what grounds can the City deny a tow license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chula Vista
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