Oak Lawn, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Base license fee
- $1,000 flat
- Per-vehicle fee
- $1,000 per tow vehicle
- Applies to
- Village-based and outside companies alike
- Underreporting fine
- $5,000 per vehicle
- Unlicensed operation
- Village Manager may order closure
Summary
Any towing company operating a tow vehicle in Oak Lawn must hold a Village license, a $1,000 base fee plus $1,000 per tow vehicle, whether the company is based in the Village or not, with underreporting fined $5,000 per vehicle.
Towing Companies $1,000 $1,000 per towing vehicle operating in the village2 ... Underreporting of towing vehicles is subject to a fine of $5,000.00 per underreported vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Code current through: Ord. 26-09-22, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Oak Lawn Village Code § 3-1-1-3 makes it unlawful to engage in business activity in the Village without first obtaining a certificate. § 3-1-1-7's fee tables name "Towing Companies" specifically: the fee is a $1,000 base licensing fee plus $1,000 per towing vehicle operating in the Village, and the identical structure applies to towing companies with no principal place of business in the Village, since the per-vehicle fee attaches to any tow vehicle working within Village limits. Underreporting vehicle counts draws a separate $5,000 fine per underreported vehicle, and under § 3-1-1-12 the Village Manager can order an unlicensed towing operation closed until it is licensed.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unlicensed tow vehicle in the Village risks a Village Manager closure order; underreporting tow vehicles is fined $5,000 per vehicle, and general Chapter 3-1-1 violations carry fines of $25 to $750 per offense, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an out-of-town towing company need an Oak Lawn license to tow here?
What happens if a towing company underreports how many vehicles it runs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Lawn
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