Jackson County, MO Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- License fee
- $500/year per business location
- Per-vehicle fee
- $100/vehicle/year
- License term
- Jan 1–Dec 31, no proration
- Issued by
- Jackson County Clerk's Office
- Violation penalty
- Suspension up to 2 years
Summary
Any wrecker or tow service operating within Jackson County, Missouri must hold a county tow license and a paid personal property tax receipt before towing: whether based here or doing over half its business in the county.
It shall be unlawful for any firm, person or corporation to operate a wrecker or tow service business within Jackson County, Missouri, without first having a valid license to tow from Jackson County and a valid paid personal property tax receipt from the county collector of Jackson County. Operating a wrecker or tow service business shall be defined as having such a business physically located in the county or conducting more than 50 percent of its wrecker or tow service business activities within the county.
Full Breakdown
Jackson County Code § 5293.1 makes it unlawful for any firm, person or corporation to operate a wrecker or tow service business within Jackson County without a county tow license and a valid paid personal property tax receipt from the county collector. A business counts as operating in the county if it's physically located there or does more than 50 percent of its towing work within county lines. Licenses run January 1 to December 31 with no proration, cost $500 per business location plus $100 per vehicle, and go through the County Clerk's Office; unlicensed towing can trigger a license suspension of up to two years.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a Jackson County tow license, or with a suspended one, can lead to license revocation for up to two years under § 5297.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Kansas City tow company need this county license too?
What insurance does a Jackson County tow operator need?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson County
Compare Jackson County to another location·View the Missouri business licensing & operations overview
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