Everett, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Everett regulates towing from two directions. Section 12-52, the Open Air Parking Ordinance, is the business license. It defines an open-air parking lot as land for the parking or storage of four (4) or more motor vehicles for a fee, including Towing Yards, and it defines a towing yard as land used for short-term storage not to exceed ninety (90) days, limited to vehicles removed at the request of public agencies, insurance companies, financial institutions or other persons claiming a property or security interest. No one can operate such a lot in the City of Everett, Massachusetts, without a license by affirmative vote of the city council. The petitioner files forms signed under oath with the City Clerk, plus a certified engineered plot plan, and must obtain a building inspector statement that the lot is in a business or industrial district or is an existing non-conforming use in a dwelling or apartment district, and a statement from the bureau of fire prevention. The council holds a public hearing on each petition, with notice published and mailed to abutters by registered mail not more than fourteen (14) days and not less than seven (7) days before the hearing. Abutters are owners and residents within one hundred and fifty feet. The City Treasurer reviews the petitioner under Section 12-8. A licensed lot cannot be used for the repair, dismantling or servicing of any vehicles.

The tow itself is governed by Chapter 18, Article V. Section 18-168 puts towing under the direction of the chief of police or an officer of the rank of sergeant or higher. Section 18-171 makes the owner liable for the cost of removal and storage, not more than the maximum rate established by the Department of Public Utilities under M.G.L. Chapter 159B Section 6B. Section 18-172 makes the contractor liable for damages arising out of negligence in the course of removal and storage. Section 18-174 requires the police department to keep for one (1) year a record of each tow: registration, location, date and time, destination, fee charged, towing contractor and the name and rank of the authorizing officer. Under Section 18-169, a vehicle tied to failure to appear on 3 or more parking violation notices is removed only after 10 days' notification by registered mail.