Newark, OH Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Sign size
- At least 18 inches by 24 inches
- Standard tow cap
- $90.00 towing, $12.00 storage per 24 hours
- Heavy vehicle cap
- $150.00 towing, $20.00 storage over 10,000 pounds GVWR
- Police notice
- Owner or agent must promptly notify the Police Department
- Immobilization
- Wheel locks and similar devices banned in place of towing
- Penalty
- Minor misdemeanor under division (h)
Summary
In the City of Newark, Ohio, Section 452.055 lets a property owner tow only from a posted private tow-away zone, with an 18-by-24-inch sign and capped charges of $90.00 to tow and $12.00 per 24 hours of storage. Larger trucks, buses and tractor-trailers are capped at $150.00 and $20.00.
(c) (1) The owner of private property may establish a private tow-away zone only if all of the following conditions are satisfied: A. The owner posts on the owner's property a sign that is at least 18 inches by 24 inches in size, that is visible from all entrances to the property, and that contains at least all of the following information: ... 3. A statement that the vehicle may be recovered at any time during the day or night upon the submission of proof of ownership and the payment of a towing charge, in an amount not to exceed ninety dollars ($90.00), and a storage charge, in an amount not to exceed twelve dollars ($12.00) per 24-hour period; except that the charge for towing shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00), and the storage charge shall not exceed twenty dollars ($20.00) per 24-hour period, if the vehicle has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds and is a truck, bus, or a combination of a commercial tractor and trailer or semitrailer. ... (h) Whoever violates division (c)(3), (c)(5), or (g) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Full Breakdown
Section 452.055 of the Newark Code of Ordinances controls how towing companies and property owners remove cars from private lots inside the City of Newark, Ohio. Division (a) makes it unlawful to park on private property in violation of a conspicuously posted prohibition or condition. Division (c) then sets the conditions for a private tow-away zone. The sign must be at least 18 inches by 24 inches, visible from all entrances, and must state that vehicles not authorized to park will be towed, give the telephone number and address where the vehicle can be recovered, and say that it can be recovered at any time during the day or night on proof of ownership and payment of the towing and storage charges. The recovery site must be conveniently located, well lighted, and within a reasonable distance of a regularly scheduled public transportation route, if any is available in the municipality.
The charge caps are printed in dollars: towing not more than $90.00 and storage not more than $12.00 per 24-hour period, rising to $150.00 and $20.00 when the vehicle has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds and is a truck, bus, or commercial tractor with trailer or semitrailer. Division (c)(5) bans immobilization devices of any type used in place of actually towing the vehicle. Division (c)(3) bars an owner from using an unlicensed tow truck or operator where the Municipality requires licensing.
After a tow, the owner or agent must promptly notify the Police Department with the license number, make, model, color, location, date and time of removal, and the recovery telephone number and address (division (e)(1)). The Police Chief keeps a record and must give that information to anyone who identifies as the owner or operator. Under division (d), a driver who arrives after the vehicle is prepared for removal but before it is taken can pay a fee of not more than one-half of the normal removal charge to get it released. Unclaimed vehicles ordered into storage for 30 days move to the state procedures cited in division (f).
Separately, Section 404.07 directs the Director of Public Service to solicit prices from and contract with towing companies for police impounds to the city impound lot, with fees set by the Director and posted at the lot.
Violations & Fines
Under 452.055(h), anyone who violates division (c)(3) by using an unlicensed tow truck or operator, division (c)(5) by immobilizing a vehicle instead of towing it, or division (g) by removing a vehicle outside the tow-away zone procedure is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Division (b) makes parking against a posted private-property prohibition a minor misdemeanor as well, and the Section 407.10 schedule lists a $30.00 fine for parking on private posted property. Charging more than the printed towing and storage caps falls outside the authority division (c)(2) gives the owner to remove the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a tow from a private lot cost in Newark, Ohio?
What must the tow-away sign say?
Can a lot owner put a boot on my car instead of towing it?
What if I get back to my car while it is being hooked up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newark
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