Dearborn, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Street tows
- Need owner consent or police OK
- Police notice
- Within 1 hour of non-consent tow
- Insurance
- $35,000 garage-keeper's liability minimum
- Fine
- $1,000, $2,500 for repeat
Summary
Dearborn tow operators need the vehicle owner's consent or police authorization to pull a car off a public street, and non-consent tows from private property come with strict notice, fee, and insurance requirements.
It shall be unlawful for any wrecker and towing service or operator to tow or otherwise move a vehicle from any area or portion of a public street without either the consent of the owner or custodian of such vehicle or authorization by a policeman or other designated official of the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Article VI of chapter 18 regulates every wrecker and towing service operating in Dearborn. § 18-814 bars towing a vehicle off a public street without either the owner's consent or a police officer's authorization. § 18-815 requires a similar consent or a specific request from the private-property owner before towing from a driveway or lot, and § 18-816 gives operators just one hour to notify police after any non-consent tow. § 18-819 caps the fees a private-property tow can charge at council-set maximums, requires 24/7 public access to reclaim an impounded vehicle, mandates credit-card acceptance, and requires a receipt naming the Dearborn Police Department's number. § 18-821(b) also requires $35,000.00 in garage-keeper's liability insurance.
Violations & Fines
Towing without required consent or notice is a civil infraction under § 18-819(e): a $1,000 fine plus costs, rising to $2,500 for a repeat violation within six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Dearborn tow company remove my car from a private lot without asking?
How fast must a Dearborn towing company report a non-consent tow?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
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