Stratford, CT Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Towing of disabled, abandoned, stolen or nonregistered vehicles in the Town of Stratford runs through a capped permit system. Under § 196-1, the Mayor or his or her designee issues not more than 10 permits per year. If fewer than 10 permit holders exist, the Mayor or designee, in his or her discretion, can hold a lottery not later than February 21. Lottery applications go to the Police Department by February 10, and incomplete documentation disqualifies an applicant. A lottery winner pays a nonrefundable $2,500 fee by certified check before March 1 or the permit is immediately revoked.

Permits run from March 1 through the last day in February (§ 196-2), and each holder pays a nonrefundable $2,000 fee by certified check before March 1.

Section 196-3 sets the operating requirements: partners and officers must be citizens of the United States and of Connecticut; the holder must show a Connecticut new car dealer's license or a general repairer's license; and the holder must keep a business location in Stratford with covered storage for a minimum of seven automobiles, yard storage for 20 automobiles, and a steel chain-link fence no less than six feet high. Each holder needs at least one wrecker and one flatbed capable of carrying two vehicles, registered in the Town of Stratford, and a truck or flatbed must be at the scene within 30 minutes of the call if requested. Insurance minimums are $1,000,000 per occurrence with a $1,500,000 aggregate for general liability, and $1,000,000 combined single limit for automobile liability, with the Town listed as an additional named insured. Holders must be current on all Town taxes.

The Police Department inspects each tow truck and only trucks carrying its certificate of approval can respond (§ 196-5). Permit holders are called on a rotating basis from the call list (§ 196-7), under a towing policy the Mayor develops and the Town Council approves (§ 196-8).