Minnetonka, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Vehicle towing businesses in the City of Minnetonka (Hennepin County, Minnesota) are regulated as a land use in the zoning chapter. Section 300.20 lists "vehicle towing businesses" among the I-1 Industrial District uses that need a conditional use permit, and Section 300.21, subdivision 6 sets the specific standards. The subdivision opens by adding to the general standards in subdivision 2 and says no conditional use permit is granted unless the City Council determines that each standard will be met.

Five standards apply to a towing operation. There shall be no impound lot on the proposed location. There can be no exterior storage of unlicensed and inoperative vehicles. Any exterior storage of towed vehicles or vehicles awaiting service has to be screened from view of adjacent properties. The business cannot be located within 200 feet of a residential zoning district. Finally, the City Council can limit hours of operation if it deems that appropriate to protect residential properties in the area from adverse impacts.

The general standards in subdivision 2 apply on top of those five. The council must determine that the use is consistent with the intent of the ordinance and the comprehensive plan, has no undue adverse impact on governmental facilities, utilities, services or existing or proposed improvements, is consistent with the city's water resources management plan, complies with the performance standards in section 300.28, and has no undue adverse impact on public health, safety or welfare. Subdivision 1 adds that the planning commission can recommend and the council can impose conditions to ensure compliance.

The no impound lot rule means the I-1 conditional use permit does not authorize a storage yard for towed vehicles. This page covers the zoning standard only. Auto body repair and painting businesses are a separate use with their own subdivision 6(g) standards, which also carry a 200 foot residential separation.