Kenosha, WI Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Kenosha's Towing Service ordinance, City Code § 13.12, governs 'Class I Tows' (vehicles removed at Police Department request because they are disabled, abandoned, a nuisance, illegally parked, evidence, stolen, or left by a dead, disabled or arrested owner), 'Class II Tows' (no-preference tows for stranded motorists) and 'Class III Tows' (disabled City vehicles). No wrecker may perform any of these tows, or accept a no-preference assignment, without a Common Council license. To qualify, a tower must own or exclusively lease at least two tow trucks meeting minimum winch and GVW specifications, maintain a storage lot within the City (or within one air mile of the City limits) enclosed by a six-foot screening fence with room for at least 30 vehicles outdoors and two indoors, carry liability and workers' compensation insurance, and pass a Police Chief inspection certificate.

The license fee is $100.00 per year, non-prorated, expiring every June 30. Licensees cannot employ any law enforcement officer or civilian police employee. The ordinance fixes a standard rate schedule: towing vehicles under 10,000 pounds runs $125.00 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and $150.00 on evenings, Sundays and holidays; dollies add $25.00; labor is $30.00 per hour weekdays and $40.00 after hours; indoor storage is $50.00 per day and outdoor storage $40.00 per day for vehicles under 10,000 pounds. Assignments rotate among licensees on three class-specific lists administered by the Police Department, and licensees must offer towing service 24 hours a day, every day.

A licensee who fails to respond to three calls in a license year must explain the failures to the Finance Committee or face probation, suspension or revocation. Junked or abandoned vehicles may only be towed from private or public property between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, unless the vehicle is an immediate hazard.