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

Chapter 6-88, Article 1 of the Memphis Code of Ordinances governs non-consent towing from private property. Section 6-88-15 requires wrecker service operators to comply with all federal, state and local towing law, expressly citing Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 55-16-112 and 66-28-518, and allows the owner or lawful possessor of private property, including an apartment complex or condominium association, to remove a parked vehicle only if warning signage is posted in plain view at every entrance to the property. The sign must be at least 18 inches by 12 inches with lettering no smaller than one inch, must state that unauthorized vehicles will be removed at the owner's expense, must list the Memphis Police Department report center telephone number and the name and phone number of each towing company under a written general towing agreement with the property, and must note that a citation may also be issued.

Before towing without the vehicle owner's consent, the towing company must hold express written authorization from the property owner, property manager, or a designated agent; an agent's designation must be in writing, signed by the property owner, notarized, and filed with the city permits office, naming the wrecker company used and the violations that trigger a non-consent tow. Contracts covering non-consensual towing must be retained by the towing company and made available to the police department or permits office on request. Separately, Sec. 6-88-11(M) requires that any tow made without the vehicle owner's consent be reported to the police services division before the vehicle is moved, and Sec. 6-88-10(E) requires all private-property tows generally to be reported to the police department before the vehicle is towed.