Elizabeth, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Chapter 5.51 governs towers who remove vehicles from private lots under contract with the property owner. Each tower must maintain a storage facility within one mile of the city, staffed 24 hours a day or with someone on call, and keep a log, copies of towing contracts, and towed-vehicle reports on site (Section 5.51.020). Towers must hold a valid mercantile license running May 1 to April 30, displayed at the storage lot and carried in the tow truck, and cannot get one without $1,000,000 in public liability insurance and $1,000,000 in property damage insurance (Section 5.51.030).

Mercantile license fees are $300.00 annually for a towing company or operator, $300.00 for a licensed storage facility, and $60.00 per tow truck (Section 5.51.090). Lots must post at least two warning signs, sized between 2x3 feet (6 square feet) and 3x5 feet (15 square feet), listing the tower's name, a 24-hour phone number, the storage lot address, the words 'UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED,' and the towing fee (Section 5.51.040). No vehicle may be hooked, lifted, or removed without a report filed with the city police department first, and police must confirm the vehicle is not stolen or wanted before it can be towed (Section 5.51.050).

Maximum tow fees are $100.00 for vehicles under 6,000 pounds, $250.00 for 6,000 to 14,999 pounds, and $400.00 for 15,000 pounds and up, plus $35.00 for special equipment, with storage fees of $25.00 to $100.00 per day starting after the first 24 hours (Section 5.51.060). Vehicles can only be released between 7:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. (Section 5.51.070).