Hoboken, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Chapter 184, adopted September 21, 2011 by Ordinance No. Z-131 and amended February 11, 2026 by Ordinance No. J-7, licenses every towing service that removes vehicles from Hoboken's public roadways for the public's benefit. Section 184-4 caps the market at eight light-duty and three heavy-duty licenses a year; when more towing services apply than slots exist, the Director of the Department of Parking and Transportation runs a random lottery. Applications are due to the Director by November 1 on forms the Director must post by September 1, with no late filings accepted; licensees are named by March 1 and serve from March 1 through the following February 28 (or 29).

Section 184-5 requires a storage site within five miles of the city for light-duty towers and within 25 miles for heavy-duty towers, proof of zoning compliance and a certificate of occupancy for that site, insurance meeting N.J.S.A. 56:13-12, and at least one flatbed and one wheel lift on hand. Section 184-10's fee schedule caps a basic tow at $100 light-duty and $450 heavy-duty, storage at $30 a day light-duty and $100 a day heavy-duty, and adds itemized caps for winching, tarping, decoupling and after-hours release.

Section 184-11 requires a written, itemized bill for every tow, four years of towing records, notice to the Director when a vehicle sits unclaimed more than seven days, and acceptance of at least two major credit cards. The Department of Parking and Transportation and the Hoboken Police Department enforce the chapter under § 184-12, and the Director may suspend or revoke a license after notice and a hearing.