Rockland County, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Chapter 394, Wreckers and Towers, adopted August 3, 2021 by Local Law No. 4-2021, regulates nonconsensual tows of passenger vehicles countywide, meaning any towing performed without the prior consent of the vehicle's owner or operator. Section 394-1 states the Legislature's intent to protect the public from unsafe towing practices and predatory pricing, and to require insurance and safety equipment on tow trucks used for regulated tows. Section 394-3 gives the Director of the Office of Consumer Protection power to license and investigate towers, and § 394-4 creates a nine-member Board of Towers, chaired by the Director or a designee, made up of two law-enforcement employees, three licensed or formerly licensed nonconsensual towers, and three members of the public at large, all appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the Legislature.

Section 394-10 lists prohibited acts, including conducting a nonconsensual boot or tow without the required license or with an unregistered truck, charging fees above what the chapter permits, towing a legally parked handicapped vehicle absent police direction, blocking an owner from removing personal property from a towed vehicle, and removing a vehicle from the County without consent unless it has sat unclaimed for more than 20 days and the owner received five days' certified-mail notice. Section 394-11 makes an unlicensed tow or a false statement to secure a license a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $1,000 or up to a year in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.

Section 394-12 adds civil penalties up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,500 for a repeat offense within a year, collectible by the Director with the County Executive's consent.