Hialeah, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- License type
- Separate regulatory license, not revenue license
- Initial application fee
- $800.00
- Renewal
- Annual, expires September 30 automatically
- Insurance
- $500,000 liability plus $1,000,000 umbrella
- Vetting
- Criminal background check, fingerprints required
- Enforcement
- City council can revoke/suspend, Sec. 90-177
Summary
Wrecker companies doing city-initiated towing need a separate regulatory license on top of their occupational license, with an $800 application fee, employee background checks, and $500,000/$1,000,000 insurance coverage.
(a)The issuance of this license pursuant to this article is separate and apart from and supplemental to any county or municipal occupational license. This license shall be characterized as a regulatory license and not a revenue license.(b)Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that a natural person cannot work or a business enterprise cannot operate without the license required for city-initiated towing services. There is no requirement that employees or agents of such business enterprises apply for and obtain the license issued under this section. A business enterprise cannot claim employees or agents as independent contractors to avoid the requirement that the business enterprise itself apply for, obtain, and maintain a license.
Full Breakdown
Hialeah requires any wrecker company that wants to perform city-initiated towing to hold a separate regulatory license, not just an occupational or business tax receipt. Sec. 90-174(a) makes clear the towing license is 'separate and apart from and supplemental to any county or municipal occupational license' and is 'characterized as a regulatory license and not a revenue license,' and Sec. 90-174(b) blocks a company from dodging the requirement by calling its drivers independent contractors instead of applying for the license itself. Getting on the city's rotation is a heavy lift.
Sec. 90-175 requires wrecker companies to respond to a request for proposals or qualifications, then file a detailed written application covering ownership, prior license denials, a management plan, insurance, and criminal background checks on every employee, including fingerprints and photographs from the police department. 00 under Sec. 90-176(e), and an annual license automatically expires each September 30 unless renewed at least 60 days before expiration. Sec. 00 excess liability umbrella policy, and a requirement that all wreckers be radio-dispatched and drivers hold a current commercial driver's license.
HPD or the licensing section can investigate complaints, and the city council can revoke or suspend a license after notice and a public hearing under Sec. 90-177.
Violations & Fines
Operating city-initiated towing without the Sec. 90-174 regulatory license, or violating any provision of the towing article, is punishable under Sec. 90-172 as provided in Sec. 1-11, the Code's general penalty section. A licensee found to have submitted false information, accumulated unsatisfied civil penalties, or let a required background disqualification lapse can have the license revoked or suspended by the city council under Sec. 90-177 after notice and a public hearing, with certiorari review available under the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do towing companies need a special license to operate in Hialeah?
How much does the initial towing license application cost?
What insurance must a licensed wrecker company carry?
Can the city revoke a towing license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hialeah
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