Coral Gables, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- License type
- Regulatory license, not revenue license
- Issuing authority
- City manager (licensing administrator)
- State law adopted
- F.S. §§ 713.78, 715.07
- Rates
- Set by city commission resolution
- Enforcement
- Revocation via city commission hearing
Summary
Wrecker companies that tow vehicles from private property without the owner's consent must hold a city regulatory license, meet wrecker-class equipment standards, and follow strict service and rate rules.
(a)The issuance of this license pursuant to this article is separate and apart from and supplemental to any county or municipal o business tax receipt. This license shall be characterized as a regulatory license and not a revenue license.(b)Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that a natural person cannot work or a business enterprise cannot operate without the license required for city-initiated towing services. There is no requirement that employees or agents of such business enterprises apply for and obtain the license issued under this section. A business enterprise cannot claim employees or agents as independent contractors to avoid the requirement that the business enterprise itself apply for, obtain, and maintain a license. (Code 1991, § 16-158; Code 2006, § 74-240; Ord. No. 3597, § 1(16-158), 10-8-2002)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Fee Schedule: Supplement 2 | Zoning Code: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Article V of Chapter 74 requires any business enterprise performing city-initiated, nonconsensual towing to obtain a regulatory license from the city manager (licensing administrator) separate from any business tax receipt; employees cannot be classified as independent contractors to dodge it. Applicants undergo criminal background checks, must carry $500,000+ liability insurance, and must field wrecker classes A through D meeting specific capacity and equipment lists. The city commission sets towing/storage rates by resolution, and companies are barred from charging more, soliciting at accident scenes, or chasing wrecks without a police-dispatched call.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the license, overcharging above city-set rates, or scene-soliciting can draw license suspension or revocation by the city commission after a hearing (Sec. 74-280), plus the general penalty under Sec. 1-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every towing company operating in Coral Gables need this license?
Can a towing company set its own rates?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coral Gables
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Coral Gables to another location·View the Florida business licensing & operations overview
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