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Tallahassee, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Class A tow fee cap
$130.00 maximum
Class C tow fee cap
$400.00 maximum
Storage fee cap
$25.00 per day, first 24 hrs free
Agreement filing
24 hours before towing, with police
Civil fine
Up to $500.00 per violation
Operator permit
Leon County wrecker-operator permit required

Summary

Tallahassee caps trespass-towing fees by vehicle weight class, sets a $25 daily storage cap, and requires wrecker operators to hold a Leon County permit. Companies that skip the required signage, agreement, or fee caps face a Tallahassee Police Department suspension or a civil citation up to $500.

It shall be unlawful for any person to tow or cause to be towed any vehicle parked on private real property unless the provisions of F.S. § 715.07 have been complied with together with the following requirements... any towing and storage firm engaged in the business of trespass towing shall not charge the owner of any towed vehicle or personal property in excess of $130.00 for the removal of a Class A vehicle, $240.00 for the removal of a Class B vehicle, and $400.00 for the removal of a Class C vehicle... No more than $25.00 per day for storage fees may be charged; however, no storage fee shall be charged for the first 24-hour period.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Land Development Code: Supplement 75 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 75).

Full Breakdown

Trespass towing in Tallahassee is governed by Code of General Ordinances Article V (Sec. 07. A towing service may not tow a vehicle from private property without a written agreement with the property owner on file with the police department at least 24 hours before the tow, and posted signage approved by the police department. or less), $240 for a Class B vehicle, and $400 for a Class C vehicle, plus a $35 dolly fee if needed. Storage is capped at $25 per day, with no charge for the first 24 hours, and cash customers get a $5 discount.

and only if the property posts a supplemental sign referencing Section 20-166 and photographs each towed vehicle. Storage lots must be at least 7,500 square feet, fenced with six-foot chain-link or solid wall, and lit to reveal people and vehicles at 150 feet at night. Every wrecker operator must hold a Leon County wrecker-operator permit under Chapter 11 of the Leon County Code of Laws; the Tallahassee chief of police may suspend or revoke local trespass-towing privileges for registration violations, kickbacks to property owners, or overcharging, with an owner or operator entitled to a due-process hearing requested within 15 calendar days. without a signed towing invoice authorizing that specific vehicle, except for handicap-space, fire-hydrant, or ingress/egress blocking violations.

Violations & Fines

Violations are civil infractions carrying a fine up to $500 under Sec. 1-7, and the violator is also liable to the vehicle owner for all recovery costs, attorney's fees, and court costs. Three violations by an owner or operator trigger automatic suspension of trespass-towing privileges; the chief of police may revoke privileges for up to one year after a hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Tallahassee apartment complex tow my car without calling first?
Only during posted "roam towing" hours of 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and only if the property added supplemental signage citing Sec. 20-166 and the towing company photographs the violation. Outside those hours, a manager or authorized representative must verify and sign off on that specific vehicle first.
How much can a Tallahassee tow company legally charge?
No more than $130.00 for a car or motorcycle (Class A), $240.00 for a medium truck (Class B), or $400.00 for a heavy truck or bus (Class C), under Sec. 20-168. Storage cannot exceed $25.00 per day and the first 24 hours of storage must be free.
What happens if I return before my car is hooked up?
Under Sec. 20-169, the operator must disconnect and release the vehicle without a fee if you arrive before it is physically connected to the wrecker. If it is already connected but not yet moved, the company may charge up to half the posted rate.

Sources & Official References

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