Watsonville, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Chapter 4-11 of the Watsonville Municipal Code runs police-called towing through a permit-and-rotation system. Under § 4-11.01 the Chief of Police maintains the list, the Council sets the number of openings by resolution, and vacancies are filled in the order applications are received. An applicant who knowingly submits untrue facts or intentionally omits facts can be rejected, and § 4-11.03 requires a valid City business license at application.

Equipment and facilities are specific. Section 4-11.05 requires two fully equipped tow trucks operational at all times, each with at least a one ton chassis with dual rear wheels or equivalent and a chassis-mounted power winch with at least one hundred feet of cable. Section 4-11.07 requires a storage lot or building enclosed with fencing at least six feet high, locked when not in use, and located within one mile of the city limits. Section 4-11.06 requires dispatching from a central point reachable by telephone 24 hours a day.

Service standards follow. Under § 4-11.15 at least one truck and attendant must reach any location in the City within thirty minutes for Class A and Class B tows and sixty minutes for Class C tows, and police can call another permittee after an unreasonable delay. Section 4-11.08 requires release of a stored vehicle within two hours of the owner's demand, and § 4-11.10 requires one employee available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays, for release requests. Gate fees under § 4-11.09 cannot exceed one-half of the hourly maximum tow rate, apply only to releases after normal business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except State holidays), and are limited to one per vehicle. Under § 4-11.14 the Council sets maximum rates by resolution.

Removal and appeal run through the same chapter. Section 4-11.27 lets the Chief remove or suspend a permittee for noncompliance, with written notice of reasons twenty-four hours before termination. Under § 4-11.29 an appeal goes to the City Manager within ten days of mailing of notice, and the City Manager's decision is final. A removed permittee can reapply no sooner than one year after termination (§ 4-11.28).