Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Chapter 385 of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Code regulates nonconsensual towing, meaning tows the Township Police Department orders. Under § 385-1, towing operators provide towing, repair and storage on a rotational basis for vehicles that are abandoned, disabled, illegally parked or stolen, involved in accidents, or tied to criminal activity or motor vehicle offenses. The Chief of Police administers the chapter under § 385-3. No operator can join the rotational list without written approval from the Chief, on the official form from the Police Department with a $50 application fee payable to the Police Department, a criminal history request form for each person who will provide services and compliance with the affirmative action rules.

Approval is valid for the calendar year and expires December 31 unless suspended or revoked earlier. Qualification under § 385-4 requires a storage facility at the business address within the Township boundaries that is lighted, fenced and secure and holds at least four medium-sized vehicles, or two complete tractor trailers for heavy-duty work. Operators need at least one conventional tow truck and one flatbed, Level 1 driver certification for light-duty drivers within nine months of hire, and quarterly certificates of insurance naming the Police Department as additional insured, with $1,000,000 in general liability, $50,000 in automobile liability and at least $10,000 per vehicle in care, custody and control.

Fifty percent of principals and employees face random drug testing annually at the operator cost. Under § 385-5, operators must be available to the Police Department seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and failure to reach the scene within 20 minutes is a breach unless heavy or unusual traffic intervenes, after which the Police Department can call the next operator. Owners must have access to their vehicles six days a week, 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon Saturday, and no storage fees run on days the vehicle is not accessible.

Section 385-6 makes the printed towing and storage fees the maximum permitted charges. Under § 385-7, the Police Department calls operators on each rotational duty list in sequential order.