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

Article VII of Chapter 38, Sections 38-221 through 38-225, governs wrecker services that respond to calls originated by the Georgetown Police Department. Under Section 38-221 the department maintains rotating schedules specific to the tow service needed (flat bed, conventional tow truck and tractor trailer capable) at the county communications center, called central dispatch, so each participating wrecker service gets an equal opportunity to be contacted. Only the chief of police can add or delete wrecker services, and a service can be deleted only for non-compliance with the article or on the operator's written notice. The department reviews tow service rates during the first week of January every year. An owner who needs a wrecker can choose a preferred service, but then it is the owner's responsibility to contact it.

Section 38-222 sets the response clock. A service that does not arrive within 30 minutes, considering reasonable conditions, forfeits the call and receives a written warning. A second offense in 12 months costs a 30 day loss of the rotation privilege, and a third offense in a 12-month period means removal from the list for one calendar year.

Section 38-223 lists the conditions for staying on the rotation: following KRS 189.754 and carrying tools for debris removal, on-scene cleanup of wreck debris except hazardous materials at no cost unless extraordinary circumstances are itemized on the bill, no removal of a vehicle until police or fire personnel authorize it, and one vehicle per call unless special circumstances exist. Each service must own a wrecker within Georgetown-Scott County, hold a city business license, comply with commercial driver's license laws, carry at least $1,000,000.00 in commercial wrecker service liability insurance, keep towed vehicles in a secured storage area at its Georgetown-Scott County place of business, and consent to inspection of that storage by the chief of police.

Section 38-224 caps rates for pick-up trucks and passenger vehicles at $90.00 per hour for calls day and night, $30.00 per day for outside storage, $35.00 starting the first day for inside storage, and $2.00 a mile round trip for tows outside city limits. Tractor trailer tows are charged at fair market value. Section 38-225 sends complaints about a tow requested by the police to both the wrecker service and the Georgetown Police Department.