Kirkwood, MO Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Division 5 of Chapter 13 licenses tow trucks operating in Kirkwood. Section 13-264(a) makes it unlawful to operate a tow truck in the City without a Director of Finance license affixed to the truck's lower left windshield corner, unless the operator's home tow truck already carries a valid current-year license from St. Louis County or a municipality with a similar ordinance. Section 13-265 requires the license application to identify the applicant, the business address, and each truck's description, serial and motor numbers. 150, RSMo. Section 13-271 requires each side of a licensed truck to carry, in letters at least two inches tall, the licensee's name and license number, the phrase "licensed tow vehicle - City of Kirkwood," and a request to see the schedule of prices before engaging the vehicle.

Before towing at an owner's request, § 13-272 requires the driver to present a filed price schedule and have the customer sign a work-order statement; charging more than the filed schedule is unlawful. Section 13-275 requires liability insurance or a bond of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage before any license issues, and § 13-276(a) bars cruising, meaning driving slowly to solicit towing business.