Georgetown County, SC Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Section 13.8-115 governs only non-consent tows of vehicles from private property in unincorporated Georgetown County; it does not cover police-directed tows from public rights-of-way, lienholder repossessions, or tows a vehicle's own owner or driver requests. Whatever rates a tow company charges for towing, special operations, storage, and related labor and equipment cannot exceed the most recently published South Carolina Department of Public Safety Wrecker Rotation Fee Schedule, whether or not the company is actually registered for the state's wrecker rotation. Beyond those rates, only documented and verifiable expenses shown on the invoice, such as mailing a registered letter or wrapping a vehicle, may be added; the ordinance expressly bars gate or yard fees, administrative office fees, repositioning fees, absorbent material fees, license plate removal fees, vehicle cleaning fees, and no-key fees from ever appearing on a tow invoice.

Before a company can tow from a commercial parking facility, the property must display a compliant sign, at least 10 inches by 18 inches, mounted between five and eight feet off the ground, bearing the international tow symbol, a 24-hour phone number, and language such as 'Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed at Owner's or Operator's Expense.' Only the property owner or a written, duly authorized representative can contract for or initiate a non-consent tow, and a towed vehicle cannot be hauled more than 60 miles from where the tow started unless the owner consents in writing to a longer haul.

Tow companies must also meet the wrecker qualification standards in S.C. Code of Regulations 38-600(B) and (C). A violation of Sec. 13.8-115 is a misdemeanor tried in magistrate's court, and the county administrator can direct the county attorney to bring an enforcement action.