Pacifica, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Max active franchises
- 3 at one time
- Franchise grantor
- Police Chief, with Council approval
- Removal from list bar
- 24 months if previously removed
- Hearing window
- 15 days after suspension notice
- Governing chapter
- Pacifica Municipal Code Chapter 4-8
Summary
In the City of Pacifica, non-consensual, police-generated tows run through a Rotational Tow Program under Municipal Code § 4-8.03: only a tow operator holding a City-issued, non-exclusive franchise can perform a Police Department non-consensual tow. Section 4-8.04(e) caps the program at three active franchises at a time, and franchisees pay a per-vehicle fee set in the City's master fee schedule.
This ordinance shall be known as the "Rotational Tow Program." ... (a)A rotational tow program is established to allow for towing services for non-consensual tows, in accordance with this chapter.(b)No person shall perform towing services for a non-consensual tow for the Police Department unless such person has obtained a non-exclusive tow service franchise from the city. ... (e)Each franchisee shall be required to pay a per-vehicle, franchise fee to the city. Such fee shall be in an amount described in the city's master fee schedule as set forth in the tow franchise agreement, and shall not exceed the city's reasonable costs of administering the rotational tow program. ... No more than three (3) tow franchises shall be granted and be active at one time in order to ensure that there are a sufficient number of operators to fulfill the demand.
Full Breakdown
03. 6, 22651, and 22655. The Police Chief, with Council approval, negotiates and oversees each franchise agreement, and franchisees pay a per-vehicle fee set by the City's master fee schedule that cannot exceed the City's reasonable cost of administering the program. 04 limits eligibility: only franchised operators may participate, applications go to the Police Department for investigation, and the Police Chief can deny a franchise for reasons including a criminal conviction, removal from the rotational list in the prior twenty-four months, lack of a business location in the City, or an inability to respond within the agreement's maximum response time.
No more than three tow franchises may be active in the City at one time. 05 lets the Police Chief suspend or remove a franchisee for cause, including overcharging above the posted rate or a driver's Vehicle Code violations the franchisee should have corrected, with a right to a hearing within fifteen days of written notice. 06 gives a denied, suspended, or removed operator the right to appeal to the City Council.
Violations & Fines
Performing a non-consensual, police-generated tow in Pacifica without a City franchise violates Section 4-8.03(b). A franchisee who charges above the posted rate, fails to correct a driver's Vehicle Code violations, or otherwise breaches the franchise agreement faces suspension or removal from the rotational list under Section 4-8.05, after written notice and an opportunity for a hearing before the Police Chief within fifteen days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any tow company respond to a Pacifica police-ordered tow?
How can a tow operator lose its Pacifica franchise?
Does a rejected tow franchise applicant have an appeal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pacifica
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