Riverside, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard tow max rate
- $252.00 per hour, portal to portal
- Medium-duty max rate
- $291.00 per hour
- Heavy-duty max rate
- $361.00 per hour
- Agreement term
- 3 years, up to three 1-year extensions
- Driver screening authority
- Riverside PD, Veh. Code §2431
- Enforcement body
- Tow Board (3 Police Sergeants)
Summary
Riverside's non-consent, police-directed towing runs entirely through a contracted 'official police tow service' under RMC Chapter 5.15. Selected tow companies sign a City agreement with eligibility rules, must post an approved rate schedule in every truck, and charge no more than the City's maximum approved hourly rates - $252 standard, $291 medium duty, $361 heavy duty.
A. Tow companies selected and designated by the City as an official police tow service as defined in Section 5.15.020 shall enter into an agreement with the City, which agreement shall contain eligibility requirements, operating regulations, an address to send correspondences and official and/or legal notices to, and fee schedules as adopted by the City Council. Every official police tow service shall post in a conspicuous place in the interior of each tow truck operated by said official police tow service an approved rate schedule in a form and location approved by the Chief of Police. ... E. City of Riverside Tow Rates for services shall be derived from tow rates that were effective January 21, 2015, and were adjusted for eight percent cumulative U.S. inflation from 2016 through 2019. These effective tow rates may be adjusted biannually by the City, and are currently: STANDARD (CHP Class A) $252.00 (per hour portal to portal); MEDIUM DUTY (CHP Class B) $291.00; HEAVY DUTY (CHP Class C) $361.00.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
6. 030 requires any towing company seeking the designation to file a written application, submit to a physical inspection of its equipment and tow yard, and clear a Police Department criminal-history and driver-history screening under Vehicle Code § 2431 for every owner, attendant and operator. 080(A), selected companies must sign a written agreement with the City covering eligibility requirements, operating regulations, and fee schedules set by the City Council, and must post an approved rate schedule inside every tow truck. 080(C)). 080(D)). 00 for heavy duty (CHP Class C), derived from 2015 rates adjusted for 8% cumulative inflation through 2019 and subject to biannual City adjustment.
A Tow Board of three Police Sergeants enforces the Vehicle Code, Municipal Code, and the written agreement, and can recommend cancellation or suspension of a company's designation to the City Manager and Police Chief.
Violations & Fines
A designated tow company that overcharges beyond the posted maximum rates, uses an unapproved driver, or otherwise violates the written agreement can be investigated by the Tow Board on a documented complaint; the Board can recommend the City Manager cancel the agreement or the Police Chief suspend it, and failure to appear at a Tow Board hearing lets the Board itself cause the agreement to be cancelled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can an official Riverside tow company charge per hour?
How does a towing company become a Riverside official police tow service?
Can one company hold more than one Riverside tow contract?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside
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Towing Companies in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle towing companies.