Saint Paul, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Chapter 361 of the Legislative Code governs non-consent towing: Sec. 02 makes it unlawful to provide wrecker or tow truck service, or to keep a service vehicle in the city, without a license from the department of safety and inspections. Sec. 06 requires licensees to file a $10,000 surety bond guaranteeing proper handling of towed vehicles and reimbursement for loss, cancelable only on 30 days' written notice to DSI. Before any tow from private property at the request of someone other than the vehicle's owner, Sec.

08 requires the driver to carry a fully completed, signed order form naming the property owner or authorized agent who requested the tow, and to telephone the police auto desk with the vehicle's plate number, description, pickup location and destination storage lot, the licensee must get a reply from police before towing. Within 48 hours of the tow, the licensee must mail written notice of the vehicle's location to the last registered owner. Sec. 12 bars towing outside city limits unless the council has approved the lot, and requires the vehicle go directly to a 24-hour licensee-operated storage lot with no interim drop-off elsewhere.

Sec. 09 bars kickbacks in either direction between a licensee and whoever authorizes the tow. Sec. 11 protects the owner's right to inspect the vehicle for damage before paying, and Sec. 14 requires an annual DSI equipment inspection covering fire extinguishers, signage and roadworthiness. The annual license fee runs through the city's Sec. 18 fee schedule.