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Knoxville, TN Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Class A tow cap
$245 max
Class B tow cap
$320 max
Class C tow cap
$435 max
Storage cap
$30-45/day after 24 hrs
Insurance required
$500,000 liability minimum

Summary

Knoxville bars non-consent tows from private lots unless the towing company follows Chapter 26's wrecker ordinance: capped rates, mandatory police notification, and liability insurance for every tow made without the vehicle owner's consent.

No towing service shall conduct a nonconsensual tow of a vehicle from a private parking lot for compensation when the point of origin of the tow is within the jurisdictional limits of the city without complying with the provisions of this article.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).

Full Breakdown

Knoxville Code § 26-229 forbids any towing service from making a nonconsensual tow from a private parking lot for compensation within city limits unless it complies with Article IV (Wreckers). Before towing, the company must notify the police department of the location, VIN, plate, make, model and color (§ 26-303), and rates are capped at $245 (Class A), $320 (Class B) and $435 (Class C) per tow, plus $30-45 daily storage after 24 hours (§ 26-302). Nonconsensual-tow operators must also carry $500,000 liability and $100,000 garage-keeper's insurance (§ 26-233). These rules govern only nonconsensual tows. Tennessee's ICCTA preemption bars regulating the price or route of consensual towing.

Violations & Fines

Towing without the required police notice, charging above the capped rate, or making a nonconsensual tow without the required insurance violates Chapter 26 and is punishable under Knoxville Code § 1-9 (§ 26-234).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Knoxville towing company tow my car from a private lot without my consent?
Yes, but only if it follows Chapter 26, Article IV: notifying police first and charging no more than the capped rate (Knoxville Code §§ 26-229, 26-302).
What's the most Knoxville allows for a non-consent tow?
$245 for Class A vehicles, $320 for Class B, and $435 for Class C, per Knoxville Code § 26-302.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Knoxville

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsAuto Repair on Residential PropertyHeavy RestrictionsTattoo & Body ModificationSome RestrictionsAdult EntertainmentSignificant RestrictionsPawnbrokersSignificant RestrictionsMassage EstablishmentsSignificant RestrictionsSecondhand DealersSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Knoxville rules

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