Quincy, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Police notice required
- Before every trespass tow
- Fee cap authority
- State DPU, M.G.L. c.159B §6B
- Storage location
- Must stay within Quincy
- Retrieval delay limit
- 30 minutes max
- Fine per violation
- Up to $100
Summary
Quincy, Massachusetts requires towing companies to notify Quincy Police before any trespass tow from private property, cap fees at state DPU rates, and store towed vehicles within the city, with fines of up to $100 per violation.
No vehicle shall be removed from any private property or way without the consent of the vehicle's owner or operator unless and until notification has been made to the Quincy Police Department that such vehicle is to be removed. Notification shall be made to a Police Department dispatcher in person or by telephone. Upon receipt of the trespass tow notification, an entry into the Quincy Police CAD shall be made.
(a) Police notification standards. Notification to the Police Department shall include the following: [1] Name and address of the person or entity in lawful control of the private property who/which is directing that a vehicle be removed; [2] Address from which vehicle is to be towed; [3] Name and address of towing service and name or employee number of tow truck operator; [4] Address and telephone number of storage facility where vehicle is to be stored; [5] Vehicle description, including registration tag and state, VIN#, make model and color; [6] The means by which the vehicle operator had notice that parking was prohibited on private property (i.e. verbally or by prominently posted signage); [7] Whether entry into vehicle's interior was required and reason for that intrusion; [8] All "trespass tow" private property locations shall be on file with the Quincy Police Department prior to any towing operations.
(b)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4608810; v7 updated 2025-10-06; through 10-06-2025).
Full Breakdown
Before a private trespass tow, Quincy requires notice to the vehicle owner (posted signage at each entrance, except for residential property) and mandatory notification to the Quincy Police Department dispatcher - including the towing company's name, storage location, and vehicle description - logged in the Police CAD system before the tow proceeds. Towing, transportation, and storage fees are capped at the maximum set by the state Department of Public Utilities under M.G.L. c. 159B, § 6B, with no other charges permitted. Vehicles must be stored within Quincy unless the Police Chief permits otherwise, and owners can retrieve vehicles 24/7 with no more than a 30-minute delay.
Violations & Fines
Towing without notifying police, overcharging beyond DPU rates, or storing a vehicle outside the city without Chief approval draws a fine of up to $100 per offense and requires the vehicle's release at no charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Quincy, Massachusetts business tow my car without warning?
Are trespass tow fees capped in Quincy?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Quincy
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