Troy, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice deadline
- Within 48 hours of removal, to the Police Department
- Hold before disposal
- Seven days after notice is given
- Record retention
- One year following the removal
- Maximum penalty
- Fine up to $250 or 15 days, or both
- Triggering tow
- Private property, without registered owner's written consent
- Governing law
- Troy City Code § 275-22
Summary
In the City of Troy, New York, a tow truck operator who removes a motor vehicle from private property without the registered owner's written consent must file a written notice with the Troy Police Department within 48 hours. Under Troy City Code § 275-22, the operator cannot dispose of the vehicle for seven days after notice, and a violation carries a fine up to $250 or 15 days in jail.
A. Whenever any operator of a tow truck removes a motor vehicle from private property located in the City without the written consent of the registered owner of said motor vehicle, the tow truck operator shall submit a written notice to the Police Department within 48 hours of such removal. This notice shall include: (1) The year, make, model, color and vehicle identification number of the vehicle; (2) The license plate number of the vehicle; (3) The location from which the vehicle was towed; and (4) The location to which the vehicle was towed. B. It shall be unlawful to dispose of any such vehicle, or any part thereof, for a period of seven days after notice of such removal is given to the Police Department, as provided herein. C. Tow truck operators shall retain a copy of the required notice for a period of one year following the removal. D. Failure to comply with the provisions of this article shall be a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 or imprisonment not to exceed 15 days, or both.
Full Breakdown
Article IV of Chapter 275 of the Troy City Code, titled Towing Abandoned Motor Vehicles From Private Property, was adopted by the Troy City Council on 3-6-1980 and is carried in the code as § 275-22. It applies to any operator of a tow truck who removes a motor vehicle from private property located in the City without the written consent of the registered owner of the vehicle.
The operator must submit a written notice to the Police Department within 48 hours of the removal. The notice has to list four items: the year, make, model, color and vehicle identification number of the vehicle; its license plate number; the location from which it was towed; and the location to which it was towed. Those four items let the Police Department match a tow to a missing-vehicle report.
Two further duties follow. Under subsection B, it is unlawful to dispose of the vehicle, or any part of it, for a period of seven days after notice of the removal is given to the Police Department. Under subsection C, tow truck operators must keep a copy of the required notice for one year following the removal. Failure to comply with the article is a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 or imprisonment not to exceed 15 days, or both.
Other Troy provisions touch tow operators as well. Section 275-3 lets the Commissioner of Public Works direct removal of an abandoned or junked vehicle from private property by a City employee or an authorized agent after a 48-hour notice, with the removal and storage costs added to the fine. Chapter 273 gives the Chief of Police and/or the Chief Fiscal Officer authority to provide for the removal, immobilization and storage of vehicles parked in violation of any statute, ordinance, rule or regulation, with the removal at the expense and risk of the vehicle owner. Section 270-13(O) bars parking a tow truck on any City street except in front of or alongside a commercial establishment for such towing business and without any motor vehicle on or attached to the truck.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with § 275-22 is a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 or imprisonment not to exceed 15 days, or both. Disposing of a towed vehicle or any part of it inside the seven-day period after notice to the Police Department is unlawful under subsection B, and an operator who cannot produce the notice copy within one year of the removal is out of compliance with subsection C.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast must a tow operator report a private-property tow in Troy, New York?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Troy
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