St. George, UT Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- City business license, § 3-2U-2
- Surety bond
- $10,000, § 3-2U-3
- Insurance/DOT proof
- Required for license approval
- Rotation list
- Separate PD program, § 5-1-7
- Penalty
- Class B misdemeanor, § 3-1-21
Summary
St. George requires a City business license, a $10,000 surety bond, current DOT certification and liability insurance before any tow truck company may operate within city limits, and police keep a separate rotation list for tows they dispatch.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to conduct a towing operation within the corporate limits of St. George City, unless the person performing such operations has a St. George City business license to do so.
B. A tow truck motor carrier or other person that has a place of business located within St. George City may not conduct towing operation within the city unless the carrier or person has a St. George City business license authorizing such operations. Such license shall be applied for, granted and maintained in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2002-1-003, 1-3-2002; amd. Ord. 2025-049, 6-19-2025)
3-2U-3: LICENSE APPLICATION:
A. An application for a business license to conduct a towing operation shall be submitted to the St. George City business license office. The license application must include:
1. The requirements of the general license provisions;
2. A ten thousand dollar ($10,000.00) surety bond secured, and proof submitted;
3. Proof of current DOT certifications for each tow truck operator, for each tow truck, and for the towing operation which will provide evidence of compliance with current DOT requirements;
4. Competent evidence of minimum required liability insurance coverage; and
5. Proof of a current DOT-approved yard inspection.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Any towing operation within St. George city limits requires a City business license under City Code section 3-2U-2: running one without a license is unlawful, whether or not the carrier's yard sits inside the city. Applicants must post a $10,000 surety bond, prove current DOT certification for every truck, operator and the operation itself, carry required liability insurance, and pass a DOT-approved yard inspection under section 3-2U-3, updating the business license office within 10 business days of any change. Separately, under section 5-1-7 the Police Department keeps its own towing rotation list for tows it dispatches; joining requires meeting police department qualifications and signing a rotation agreement, with appeals decided by the chief of police or a designee.
Violations & Fines
Any licensing-title violation, including operating an unlicensed towing business, is a Class B misdemeanor under section 3-1-21; carriers can also be denied or dropped from the police rotation list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. George license towing companies?
How do I get on the city's towing rotation list?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
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