Gardena, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Franchise
- Required to tow for the city
- Awarding authority
- City council, sole discretion
- 10%+ ownership transfer
- Voids the agreement
- Records retention
- At least 3 years
- Franchise fee
- Due per council-set schedule
- Violation penalty
- Misdemeanor, per-day offense
Summary
Gardena Municipal Code § 10.52.020 requires anyone performing towing services for the city, meaning police-directed tows, impounds and storage, to hold a city-awarded franchise, with narrow exceptions for non-city tows and city employees. The city council can award one or more rotating franchises, and violating the chapter is a misdemeanor under § 10.52.100.
No person shall perform towing services for the city unless such person has obtained a franchise from the city of Gardena, except as specified in this chapter. B. The city council may award one or more franchises for towing services on such terms and conditions as the city council may establish in its sole discretion. If more than one franchise is awarded, services shall rotate among the various franchisees on an equal basis, to be established by the franchise agreement. ... Violation of any provision of this chapter constitutes a misdemeanor. Each day for which a violation exists shall constitute a separate violation for purposes of enforcement.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 10.52 governs the operators who tow, store and impound vehicles at the direction of the Gardena Police Department. Section 10.52.020 bars anyone from performing city towing services without a franchise the city council awards under whatever terms it sets, and if the council awards more than one, the franchise agreement must rotate calls among franchisees on an equal basis. Only three situations skip the franchise requirement: towing for someone other than the city itself, towing at the city's direction when no franchisee is available or timely, and a city officer or employee acting in the course of duty.
A franchise cannot be sold, transferred, sublet or assigned, even partially, without written city council authorization, and the code treats any acquisition of ten percent or more of the operator by an outside party as a transfer that voids the agreement outright under § 10.52.020(D). Franchisees pay a council-set franchise fee under § 10.52.030, keep vehicle impound reports, charge sheets and lien-sale records for at least three years under § 10.52.050, and must have drivers in distinctive, name-badged uniforms under § 10.52.060 and a current city business license and decal under § 10.52.070.
The chief of police can suspend or revoke a franchise for cause, including nonpayment of the franchise fee within thirty days, subject to a written appeal to the city council within ten calendar days under § 10.52.040. Violating any provision of Chapter 10.52 is a misdemeanor, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense under § 10.52.100.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a required towing franchise, or violating any other provision of Chapter 10.52, is a misdemeanor under § 10.52.100, with each day the violation continues charged as a separate offense. The chief of police can also suspend or revoke a franchise for cause, including missing a franchise-fee payment for more than thirty days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any tow company respond to Gardena Police Department calls?
What happens if a Gardena towing franchisee doesn't pay its fee?
Is it illegal to sell part ownership of a Gardena towing franchise without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gardena
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