Virginia Beach, VA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Business license
- Required under City Code Ch. 18
- Basic tow fee cap
- $211 to $606 by weight
- Free storage
- First 24 hours after towing
- Drop fee cap
- $25 before vehicle is hooked
- Penalty
- Class 1 misdemeanor, per day
Summary
Tow companies that remove vehicles from private property without the owner's consent must hold a city business license, post specific warning signs, and cap fees at rates set by City Code Chapter 21.
No tow truck service or operator shall remove any vehicle from public or private property unless the tow truck service possesses a valid business license issued in accordance with Chapter 18 of this Code.(b)All tow trucks operated by a tow truck service shall display the name, address and telephone number of the owner thereof on both sides of the tow truck on permanently mounted signs or painted directly on the body of the truck in reflectorized letters large enough to be readily legible, but in no case less than two (2) inches in height. It shall be unlawful to operate a tow truck displaying an incorrect name or address, or a telephone number which is incorrect or not in service. (Ord. No. 2903, 12-13-05)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Any company that tows vehicles off private property without the vehicle owner's consent must carry a City Code Chapter 18 business license, and every tow truck must show the company's name, address and phone number in reflectorized letters at least two inches tall on both sides. Property owners who use a tow service must post signs meeting exact size and wording rules at every entrance and exit before towing can be enforced. Basic towing fees are capped by vehicle weight, $211.00 for 10,000 lbs or less, up to $606.00 for 18,000 lbs or more, and the first 24 hours of storage must be free.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of the towing division is a Class 1 misdemeanor under § 21-402(b), with each day of continuing noncompliance treated as a separate offense; a tow service can also lose its business license for operating unlicensed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business tow my car without warning in Virginia Beach?
How much can a Virginia Beach tow company charge?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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