Somerville, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Towing authority
- Police Chief or Sergeant+ only
- Legal basis
- M.G.L. c. 40, § 22D
- Fee cap
- Set by state law, not city discretion
- Damage liability
- Falls on the towing contractor
- Record retention
- 1 year, kept by Police Dept.
- Exempt vehicles
- State, federal, foreign-diplomat plates
Summary
Somerville's Traffic Commission authorizes police-directed towing from public ways under M.G.L. c. 40, § 22D, capping the towing and storage fees an owner can be charged at the state-authorized rate. The towing contractor is liable for any damage caused during removal or storage.
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 40, § 22D of the General Laws of Massachusetts... the Traffic Commission of the City of Somerville hereby enacts the following regulations authorizing the removal to a convenient place of vehicles parked or standing in any manner... The Traffic Commission hereby imposes upon the owner of any vehicle moved or towed to a convenient place, under the provisions of this Article, the following fees: Removal or Towing Fee: not to exceed that which is provided in or as authorized by Statute Law. Storage Fees: not to exceed that which is provided in or as authorized by State Law... The contractor shall be liable to the owner for any damage arising out of negligence caused to a vehicle in the course of removal or storage.
Full Breakdown
Article X of the Traffic Commission Regulations governs towing from Somerville's public ways, enacted under Chapter 40, § 22D of the General Laws. Only the Chief of Police, or an officer of Sergeant rank or higher that the Chief designates, can order a vehicle towed under this authority, and vehicles owned by the Commonwealth, the federal government, or foreign diplomats displaying proper plates are exempt from removal. The Traffic Commission caps what an owner can be charged: the removal or towing fee and the storage fee each cannot exceed the amount authorized by state law.
The towing contractor, not the city, is liable to the vehicle owner for any damage caused negligently during removal or storage. c. 90, § 20A½. Posted tow-away zones under Schedule C only take legal effect once official signs reading 'TOW-AWAY ZONE' are actually installed and visible to approaching drivers. The Police Department must keep a towing record for one year covering the vehicle's registration, where it was towed from and to, the fee charged, the name of the towing contractor, and the authorizing officer's name and rank.
Violations & Fines
An owner whose vehicle is towed under Article X is liable for the removal and storage fees set under Section 10-3, plus penalties under M.G.L. c. 90, § 20A½ for the underlying parking violation. Obstructing a handicapped parking space or curb ramp draws a specific $200 fine under the Traffic Commission's penalty schedule, separate from the towing cost itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can order a car towed from a Somerville street?
How much can a Somerville tow cost?
Who pays for damage to a car towed in Somerville?
Does Somerville keep records of towed vehicles?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Somerville
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