Haverhill, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Chapter 242, Article II governs any individual, partnership, corporation, trust or other entity that stores towed motor vehicles in Haverhill, whether for itself or others. Section 242-6 requires the company to hold a Department of Public Utilities license for towing under M.G.L. c. 159B. Section 242-7 layers on a city-level requirement: the company must apply to the License Commission, and no license issues until the Mayor, Chief of Police and Building Inspector have all approved the application in writing; licenses run January 1 through December 31 and must be renewed annually.

Section 242-8 sets physical standards for the storage yard: it must comply with zoning, be enclosed by a chain-link fence at least six feet high, have room for at least 25 vehicles, and be screened so stored vehicles are not visible from public view. Section 242-10 adds operating rules for companies on the City's rotation, including staying available on 24-hour call, towing to a location the vehicle owner requests when feasible, keeping triplicate towing tickets (one to the owner, one to police), maintaining only one storage yard per license, delivering copies of the company's DPU sticker, vehicle registrations and insurance certificates to the License Commission, and charging the towing and daily storage rates the Massachusetts DPU prescribes rather than rates the company sets itself. No one may hold an interest in more than one licensed storage company.