Jacksonville, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Written agreement
- Required before any trespass tow
- Filing
- Filed with JSO before towing begins
- Notice
- JSO notified within 30 minutes
- Storage site
- Must be within 10-mile radius
- Civil penalty
- Up to $10,000 per violation
Summary
Towing firms need a signed property-owner agreement filed with the Sheriff's Office before trespass-towing any vehicle, plus posted signage and JSO notice within 30 minutes.
Prior to the trespass towing of any vehicle, the property owner of the real property and the towing service shall have executed a written agreement which shall at a minimum contain the following provisions... Prior to the trespass towing of any vehicle, a copy of the executed agreement described in paragraph (1) above, shall be filed by the towing service with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Vehicle Storage and Recovery Unit. Said agreements shall be nontransferable.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Before removing a vehicle without the owner's consent from private property, a Jacksonville towing service must have a written agreement with the property owner covering location, hours, fees and storage site, filed with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Vehicle Storage and Recovery Unit before any tow occurs. The agreement is nontransferable, the storage site must sit within a 10-mile radius of the tow-away sign, and the towing service must notify JSO within 30 minutes of completing each trespass tow with the vehicle's location, storage site and case number. Wrecker trucks separately must register annually with the Sheriff's Office.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 804, Part 13 is a Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act violation carrying civil penalties up to $10,000, and is separately a class D offense under the Ordinance Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Jacksonville towing company tow my car from private property without my consent?
Do towing companies have to register with the City to operate in Jacksonville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jacksonville
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Jacksonville to another location·View the Florida business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.