Fall River, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal authority
- MGL c. 40, § 22D
- Who orders tows
- Chief of Police or sergeant+
- Contractor liability
- Liable for negligent damage
- Fee cap
- Set by state statute
- Records retention
- Tow records kept one year
Summary
Fall River, Massachusetts police may order any illegally parked vehicle towed under MGL c. 40, § 22D authority; the towing contractor is liable for negligent damage, and removal and storage fees cannot exceed state-authorized limits, with towed-vehicle records kept for a year.
In accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 22D, the City Council hereby enacts the following regulations authorizing the removal to a convenient place of vehicles parked or standing in such manner or in such areas as are described in this section on any way under the control of the City. Vehicles specifically exempt by state law shall not, however, be subject to such removal.
B. Authority of police. The moving or towing of any vehicle under the provisions of this section shall be by and at the direction of the Chief of Police or such other officer of the rank of sergeant or higher as he may from time to time designate.
C. Fees. The City Council hereby imposes upon the owner of any vehicle moved or towed or towed to a convenient place under the provisions of this section the following fees:
(1) Removal or towing fees not to exceed those provided in or as authorized by statute law.
(2) Storage fees not to exceed those provided in or as authorized by statute law.
D. Liability for damage during removal or storage. The contractor shall be liable to the owner for any damage arising out of negligence caused to a vehicle in the course of removal and storage.
E.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4739915; v14 updated 2025-12-23; through 12-23-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 70-315, the Chief of Police or a sergeant-or-higher officer may direct removal of vehicles violating parking rules, blocking hydrants, crosswalks, driveways, snow-emergency zones, or narrow travel lanes, to a convenient location. Removal and storage fees are capped at state-authorized rates, and the towing contractor is liable to the vehicle owner for any damage caused by negligence during removal or storage. Owners also face penalties under MGL c. 90, § 20A. The Police Department must log every tow for one year, including registration, tow location, destination, fee charged, and the contractor and officer involved.
Violations & Fines
Owners of towed vehicles pay removal and storage fees up to the state-authorized cap and may face additional penalties under MGL c. 90, § 20A; contractors bear liability for negligent damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can order a vehicle towed in Fall River?
Is the towing company liable if my car is damaged?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fall River
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