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Passaic, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing chapter
Code Ch. 297, Art. II, §§ 297-3 to 297-7
Light-duty tow cap
$155 hookup fee
Car storage cap
$35 per day
Required warning sign
36 in. by 36 in. minimum
Storage facility distance limit
1 mile from City boundary
Facility access hours
7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. daily

Summary

Passaic Code § 297-5 caps what a private towing operator may charge motorists and property owners, from $155 for a light-duty hookup to itemized storage and recovery rates, and § 297-6 sets strict conditions on trespass towing from private lots, including 36-inch warning signs and a one-mile storage-facility limit.

All property owners or motorists who require the services of a private towing company shall pay not to exceed the following fees: A. Towing. (1) Basic: (a) Light duty - up to 10,000 lbs. hookup: $155. (b) Medium duty - 10,001 lbs. to 16,000 lbs.: $300 per hour. (c) Heavy duty - 16,001 lbs. and above: $500 per hour. (d) Decoupling fee (if tow is not performed): 1/2 of basic rate. ... B. Storage inside building or outside in secured facility, each space, per day. (1) Cars/light trucks - 10-foot by 20-foot space: $35 per day.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978046; v41 updated 2026-07-01; through 07-01-2026).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 297, Article II of the Code of the City of Passaic regulates towing and storage fees and trespass towing/booting citywide. and above) at $500 per hour, with a decoupling fee of half the basic rate if the tow is not completed. 50 per day for motorcycles, among other itemized rates for buses, roll-offs and specialized recovery equipment such as a $1,200-per-hour rotator/crane unit. A. 6: an operator must have a contract with the property owner and post a sign at least 36 inches by 36 inches at every vehicular entrance disclosing the parking rules, the towing company's name/address/phone, the towing and storage charges, and the redemption address and hours.

No fee may be charged for debooting or decoupling if the vehicle's owner arrives before the tow is completed and immediately removes the vehicle, and vehicles removed from private property cannot be stored on public streets or property. Storage facilities must be within one mile of the City's municipal boundaries, and any tow of a vehicle partially or fully on public property must be directed by the Passaic Police Department or the tower forfeits its fees. Operators are barred from patrolling private lots on their own initiative to identify tow targets absent a specific request from the property owner.

permitted for an additional $50 release charge; no storage fee applies for stays under four hours or for a vehicle towed and released within 24 hours beyond one day's charge.

Violations & Fines

Section 297-6(F) prohibits any towing operator engaged by a private party from charging rates greater than those set in Article II or billing for any service not specifically listed. Operators must notify the Passaic Police Department at the time of a private-property removal with the vehicle's year, make and license number, the owner's name and address if known, the towing operator's identity, and the destination storage address (§ 297-6(G)). Violations of the signage, fee-cap, or notification requirements expose the towing operator to enforcement under the article; unauthorized 'trespass towing' performed without a property-owner contract or the required 36-inch signage is itself prohibited conduct under § 297-6(A)-(B).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can a Passaic towing company charge to tow my car?
Section 297-5 caps basic light-duty towing at $155 for the hookup, $300 per hour for medium-duty vehicles (10,001-16,000 lbs.), and $500 per hour for heavy-duty vehicles (16,001 lbs. and up), plus separate itemized storage and recovery rates.
Can a private lot in Passaic tow my car without warning?
No. Section 297-6(B) requires a signed towing contract with the property owner and a conspicuous sign at least 36 inches by 36 inches at every entrance stating the parking rules, towing company contact information, charges, and where to redeem the vehicle.
What if I show up before my car is fully towed from a private lot?
Section 297-6(C) bars the towing or booting service from charging any fee, including a debooting or decoupling charge, if the vehicle's owner arrives before removal is complete and immediately drives it away.
What hours can I get my towed vehicle back in Passaic?
Section 297-7 requires storage facilities to be open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily for release, with access extended to 11:00 p.m. for an added $50 after-hours charge; no extra storage fee applies if you tried during normal hours and the company was unavailable.

Sources & Official References

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