Costa Mesa, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

12) regulates both rotational tow operators under contract to the Costa Mesa Police Department and every other private-property towing business. Section 9-273 makes it unlawful to operate a tow unit on city streets, or to tow or store vehicles removed from private property, without a towing operator permit, and drivers must carry a current business license and permit in the truck at all times. Applications go to the chief of police under § 9-274 and must disclose the applicant's ownership structure, every tow truck's VIN and load capacity, all storage facility addresses, three years of employment history, and any criminal convictions of the applicant or financial stakeholders, plus proof of the insurance required by § 9-291.

A per-unit filing fee set by council resolution accompanies the application under § 9-275. Under § 9-276, the chief of police must deny a permit on any of thirteen grounds, including a falsified application, a registerable sex offense or moral-turpitude conviction, a drug-sale felony or theft/embezzlement conviction within five years, an applicant under 18, a driving record with license suspension or a DUI within three years, failed equipment inspections, or a towing permit denial/revocation by another city within the past year. 10's hearing procedure within 15 business days.

10(i) requires storage yards to sit within five miles of the Costa Mesa Police Station at 99 Fair Drive unless the department pre-approves an exception, to stay fenced, gated and lit, and to accept both cash and valid credit cards for release fees.