New Bedford, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- License required from
- Licensing board, § 15-69
- Application fee
- $325
- Annual renewal fee
- $300
- Penalty
- Up to $200 per day, § 15-69.12
- Enforcement
- New Bedford Police Department
Summary
New Bedford requires any motor vehicle repair shop, auto body shop, or towing service to hold a license from the licensing board under section 15-69, backed by a $325 application fee, a public hearing with abutter notice, and an annual $300 renewal.
No person, or firm shall engage in the business of operating a motor vehicle repair shop, motor vehicle auto body shop or towing service as defined in section 15-69.1 without obtaining a license therefor from the licensing board and complying with terms of this ordinance [sections 15-69 through 15-69.13].
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19).
Full Breakdown
1, to hold a license from the licensing board. An auto body shop license covers towing and repair without a separate towing license, but a repair shop that also does body work or painting must be licensed as an auto body shop. c. 100A. 3 requires the applicant to pay for newspaper notice at least seven days before a public hearing and certified-mail notice to abutting and directly opposite property owners, and the licensing board directs the fire chief, police chief, inspector of buildings, and health director to investigate the site.
6 requires the license to be posted on-site and limits it to the address where it was issued. 9 lets the fire chief require additional fire-safety devices. 11 after notice and a hearing. 13 assigns enforcement to the New Bedford Police Department.
Violations & Fines
Operating a motor vehicle repair shop, auto body shop, or towing business without a licensing board license violates section 15-69, and towing or repairing at an unlicensed address, or after a license transfer without reapplying, violates sections 15-69.6 and 15-69.8. Any violation of sections 15-69 through 15-69.13 is punishable by up to a $200 fine for each day the violation continues, enforced by the New Bedford Police Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Bedford
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