Rancho Cordova, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- License category
- Special business license, RCMC § 4.10.005(I)
- Covers
- Towing of disabled, abandoned, or illegally parked cars
- Issuing authority
- Chief of police, within 90 days
- Background check
- Fingerprinting and photographing of owners/managers
- Revocation bar
- Five years before reapplying
- Appeal window
- 15 days from notice of denial or revocation
Summary
Rancho Cordova classifies auto towing as a special business license category, so any company that tows automobiles needing repair, abandoned on public rights-of-way, or parked illegally must hold a special business license from the chief of police under RCMC § 4.10.005(I), separate from any general business license.
No person shall, unless under and by authority of a valid unexpired and unrevoked special business license, conduct or operate within the city, whether singularly or in connection with another type of enterprise, the following: ... I. ... Auto towing, consisting of persons who engage in the business of towing automobiles which require repair, are abandoned on public rights-of-way, or are parked illegally;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4660102; v2 updated 2026-03-02; through 03-02-2026).
Full Breakdown
005 makes it unlawful to conduct any of the listed special-license enterprises, including subsection (I) "auto towing," without a valid, unexpired, unrevoked special business license. 035, which authorizes a background check, fingerprinting, and photographing of owners and managers, and evaluation of whether the operation poses an unreasonable risk to public health, safety, or welfare. 040). 045). 095, which also requires fingerprinting and background review. 020).
Violations & Fines
A special business license for auto towing may be suspended for up to one year or revoked if the chief of police finds a violation of any applicable condition, requirement, or prohibition, or that grounds under § 4.10.040(B) or (C) exist, such as false statements or a disqualifying conviction (§ 4.10.135). Revocation bars the holder from operating the towing business anywhere in the city for five years, and immediate relatives or co-owners of a revoked licensee cannot obtain a new license for that enterprise except by written application approved at the city council's sole discretion (§ 4.10.155). A licensee may appeal a denial, condition, suspension, or revocation in writing to the police department within 15 days of service of notice, triggering a hearing before the hearing authority and, if requested, review by the city council (§§ 4.10.115, 4.10.120, 4.10.150).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a tow truck company need a special license in Rancho Cordova?
Who reviews a towing company's license application?
Can the city revoke a towing company's license?
Is a general business license also required to operate a tow business?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cordova
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