Whittier, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- City manager, appeal to council
- Application filed with
- City treasurer
- Approval standard
- Public need, qualified staff, compliant equipment
- Decision authority
- City manager; final absent appeal
Summary
Whittier does not let anyone open a public tow-truck business by default. Section 5.64.010 makes it unlawful to conduct a motor vehicle towing service available to the general public using 'tow cars,' as defined in the state Vehicle Code, without first obtaining a permit through the process in Chapter 5.64, a discretionary review rather than an automatic license.
No person shall conduct or operate within the city a motor vehicle towing service available to members of the general public involving the use of "tow cars" as that phrase is defined in the Motor Vehicle Code of the state, without first obtaining a permit from the city in the manner prescribed in this chapter.
Full Breakdown
An applicant files with the city treasurer, providing the business name and organization, a managing employee, the equipment to be used and rates to be charged, and the location of office facilities and the impound or storage yard (Section 5.64.020), along with a filing and processing fee set by council resolution (Section 5.64.030). The city clerk investigates the application against the standards in Section 5.64.050 and sets a hearing before the city manager, notifying the applicant and anyone who requested notice in writing (Section 5.64.040).
The city manager may issue the permit only after finding there is a need for the towing service in the city, that the applicant has qualified people available to run all proposed equipment, and that the equipment meets the state Vehicle Code and other applicable laws; the manager can condition approval and must refuse the permit if any of those three findings is not met (Section 5.64.050). The city manager's decision is final and conclusive unless appealed. Any applicant, or anyone who appeared at the hearing, can file a written appeal with the city clerk for a city council hearing under the same standards, paying a filing fee set by council resolution, and the council's decision granting, conditioning or denying the permit is then final (Section 5.64.060).
Violations & Fines
Operating a general towing service in Whittier without the Chapter 5.64 permit, or continuing after the city manager or council has denied, conditioned or not renewed it, is unlawful under Section 5.64.010. The chapter does not set its own stated fine for operating without a permit, so enforcement of that prohibition proceeds under the city's general code enforcement provisions rather than a penalty specific to this chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone start a tow truck business in Whittier?
Where does a tow operator apply for a Whittier towing permit?
What if the city manager denies a towing permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whittier
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