Westminster, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Business license
- Required under Chapter 5.08
- Police permit
- Separately required, Chief of Police issues
- Liability insurance minimum
- $1,000,000 per person/occurrence
- Private-tow police notice
- Within 1 hour of the tow
- Max penalty
- $500 fine / 6 months jail
- Appeal window
- 15 working days (mail) / 10 (personal)
Summary
Every tow operator working in Westminster needs both a city business license and a separate police-issued permit. Operators pulling cars off private property must notify police within an hour, and violations carry up to a $500 fine or six months in jail.
Before authorizing a tow service to remove any illegally parked vehicle from private property, the owner, person in lawful possession or their authorized representative, of the private property shall notify the Westminster Police Department of: 1. The name, address and phone number of the person authorizing the removal... It is the responsibility of the permittee and/or their tow truck operator to ensure that the Westminster Police Department is notified of the removal of the private property impound, within one hour, of the time of tow, location of storage of towed vehicle, and verification of license and vehicle identification number of the towed vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4982734; v10 updated 2026-06-10).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 5.64 governs towing operations in Westminster. Section 5.64.030 requires a city business license under Chapter 5.08, and Section 5.64.040 separately requires a police permit issued by the Chief of Police before anyone may "engage in, manage, conduct or operate a towing operation." Applicants must disclose driver's license numbers, vehicle descriptions and VINs for every tow truck, employee criminal histories, and three years of business history (Section 5.64.060), and the Chief can deny a permit to anyone under eighteen or with a record of acts that would justify suspension or revocation (Section 5.64.070).
Operators must carry $1,000,000 liability coverage per person and per occurrence and $50,000 property coverage, with thirty days' written notice to the city clerk before any cancellation (Section 5.64.140). On non-consent private-property impounds, Section 5.64.170 requires the property owner or their agent to notify the Westminster Police Department beforehand with the vehicle's location, reason for removal, and the towing company's name and contact information, and requires the permittee to confirm the tow, storage location and vehicle ID with police within one hour of the tow.
Section 5.64.160 requires written authorization listing rates and charges before a truck may even attach to a vehicle, except for towing arrangements exempted under Section 5.64.010(A)-(C). The Chief of Police may suspend a permit for up to a year or revoke it outright for offenses listed in Section 5.64.100, including soliciting unrequested roadside assistance, towing to an unauthorized location, or billing for services not performed.
Violations & Fines
Section 5.64.330 makes any violation of the towing chapter a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine, up to six months in county jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense. Permit denial or revocation can be appealed to the city traffic commission within fifteen working days (certified mail) or ten working days (personal service) under Section 5.64.080, with a further appeal to the city council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tow company remove my car from private property without my consent in Westminster?
What insurance must a Westminster tow operator carry?
What happens if a Westminster tow company operates without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westminster
California rules heatmap·Compare Westminster to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
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