Grand Forks, ND Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- § 21-0901, non-consent tows from private property
- Insurance minimums
- $100,000/$300,000 injury, $5,000 property (§ 21-0904)
- Release hours
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, no release fee (§ 21-0907(6))
- Accepted payment
- cash, traveler's check/money order, plus one card (§ 21-0907(3))
- Max penalty
- fine up to $1,000 and license revocation (§ 21-0914)
- Driver minimum age
- 18, valid state license (§ 21-0909)
Summary
In the City of Grand Forks, no tow truck operator may remove a vehicle from private property without the owner's consent unless licensed under City Code Article 9. The Grand Forks Police Department issues, oversees and can revoke both the towing business license and individual driver's licenses, and sets insurance and payment standards for every non-consent tow.
21-0901. - Towing license—Required. No person, firm, entity, partnership, or corporation shall operate or be permitted to operate any tow truck or other vehicle for the purpose of towing or removing a motor vehicle, without the consent of the motor vehicle's owner or authorized operator, from private property within the city, without having first obtained a license under the provisions of this article. ... 21-0907. - Towing vehicles—Requirements; fees. (1)No towing vehicle shall be operated unless it is equipped with a sign in good condition to show the amount to be charged for each type of towing event.(2)It shall be unlawful for a towing patron to refuse to pay a lawful towing event at the termination of the towing event. ... 21-0914. - Penalty for violation of article. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) and, in addition, shall have their towing license revoked.
Full Breakdown
City Code § 21-0901 makes it unlawful to operate a tow truck removing a vehicle without the owner's consent from private property without first obtaining a towing license. Applicants file with the city auditor under § 21-0903, paying an application fee and annual fee set by city council resolution and filing proof of liability insurance; § 21-0904 sets minimums of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident and $5,000 property damage, with the policy requiring 10 days' written notice to the city auditor before cancellation, and the license terminates automatically if coverage lapses.
The city council approves applications under § 21-0905, while the Grand Forks Police Department can revoke a license at any time it finds revocation serves public safety, welfare or order (§ 21-0906). Section 21-0907 requires a posted sign showing charges, bars patrons from refusing lawful payment, requires acceptance of cash, traveler's checks or money orders and at least one card, mandates an itemized written receipt, and requires vehicle release between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily without a release fee. Removals from private or public lots need owner or manager authorization plus 24-hour verification of permitted vehicles and signage meeting § 8-0822 (§ 21-0908).
Individual tow drivers need a separate license under §§ 21-0909-0913: at least 18 years old, a valid state driver's license, a clean driving record and no felony conviction within the prior five years absent a council hearing.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of Article 9 is punishable, upon conviction, by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and revocation of the towing license (§ 21-0914). The Grand Forks Police Department may separately suspend or revoke a driver's towing license for a felony conviction, a DUI conviction, a false application statement, or a finding of unfitness (§ 21-0913); the driver gets written notice and 10 days to appeal to the city council before the action becomes final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Grand Forks towing company charge me a fee to get my car back overnight?
What must a tow truck display before it can legally operate in Grand Forks?
Can a private parking lot in Grand Forks have my car towed without warning?
What happens if a Grand Forks towing company driver gets a felony conviction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Grand Forks
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