Orange County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Business tax receipt
- required before any trespass tow
- Written agreement
- required with each property owner
- Liability insurance
- $300,000 minimum, per tow truck
- Max penalty
- $500 fine, 60 days jail
Summary
Companies that trespass-tow or immobilize vehicles from private property in Orange County must hold a county business tax receipt before operating, on top of complying with state towing law.
Business tax receipt required. Every person, company, corporation, or other entity that owns or operates a service that engages in trespass towing or immobilization of vehicles or vessels for compensation within Orange County must obtain a business tax receipt issued by Orange County, consistent with the provisions of Chapter 205, Florida Statutes, Section 25-53, Orange County Code, and any other applicable provisions of Chapter 25.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 128).
Full Breakdown
Any person, company, or entity that owns or operates a service engaging in trespass towing or vehicle/vessel immobilization for compensation in Orange County must obtain an Orange County business tax receipt under Chapter 205, Florida Statutes and Sec. 25-53: with a separate receipt for every storage site. The county's trespass-towing ordinance (Chapter 35, Division 3) further requires a written agreement with each property owner, posted tow-away signage, at least $300,000 in liability insurance, and caps trespass tow fees by vehicle class.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the business tax receipt or a filed property owner agreement violates Chapter 35; each offense is punishable by up to $500 and 60 days jail under Sec. 35-59(a), plus code enforcement citations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Orange County tow companies need a special license?
Is this rule county-wide, including Orlando?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orange County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Orange County to another location·View the Florida business licensing & operations overview
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