Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Columbus

Columbus, OH Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Code section
Columbus City Codes § 2151.105
First offense
Minor misdemeanor
Repeat within 1 year
Misdemeanor, 3rd degree
Chapter
2151, Parking Generally
Title
21, Traffic

Summary

Columbus makes it a crime to tow a vehicle off private property unless the removal conforms with the legal requirements for private-property towing, with penalties that escalate on repeat offenses.

(a) No person shall remove or cause to be removed any vehicle from private property unless in conformance with respect to removing, or causing to be removed, motor vehicles from private property. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) or more prior violations of this section or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

Source: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4513View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 | Form Based Code: ?).

Full Breakdown

Columbus City Codes § 2151.105 bars anyone from removing or causing the removal of a vehicle from private property unless the tow conforms with the legal requirements governing private-property vehicle removals. A tow company or property owner that tows a car off a lot without meeting those conditions is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the same person is convicted of or pleads guilty to another violation within one year, the offense jumps to a misdemeanor of the third degree. The section sits in Chapter 2151 (Parking Generally) under Title 21, Traffic.

Violations & Fines

First offense: minor misdemeanor. Second violation within one year: misdemeanor of the third degree, under Columbus City Codes § 2151.105(b).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a towing company remove my car from private property in Columbus without following the legal requirements?
No. Columbus City Codes § 2151.105 makes it a minor misdemeanor to remove or cause removal of a vehicle from private property unless the removal conforms to the legal requirements for such tows.
What happens for a second unauthorized towing violation in Columbus?
If the same person is convicted or pleads guilty to another violation of § 2151.105 within one year, the offense becomes a misdemeanor of the third degree instead of a minor misdemeanor.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Columbus

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsAdult EntertainmentSignificant RestrictionsMassage EstablishmentsSome RestrictionsSecondhand DealersSome RestrictionsTobacco Retail LicenseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Columbus rules

Compare Columbus to another location·View the Ohio business licensing & operations overview

Get notified when Towing Companies in Columbus, OH changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.