Wichita Falls, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Report deadline
- 1 hour after the tow
- Recipient
- Wichita Falls Police Department
- Required info
- Vehicle, plate, VIN, tow/storage location
- City permit
- Required for all towing companies
- Governing law
- City Code § 26-773; TX Occ. Code ch. 2308
Summary
Towing companies that tow from parking lots without owner consent must report the tow to police within one hour, per City Code § 26-773.
A towing company that tows a vehicle from a parking facility without the vehicle owner's permission shall within one hour after receiving the vehicle report (by telephone, in person, or by facsimile) to the Police Department: (1) A general description of the vehicle; (2) The state and number of the vehicle's license plate; (3) The VIN of the vehicle; (4) The location from which the vehicle was towed; and (5) The name and location of the vehicle storage facility where the vehicle is being stored.
Full Breakdown
Wichita Falls regulates towing companies under City Code ch. 26, art. VIII (Wrecker Businesses). Every towing company must hold a city permit issued after a sworn application, insurance certificate, and proof of state licensing for each tow truck and driver (§ 26-760). For non-consent private property tows, vehicles removed from a parking facility without the owner's permission, the towing company must report the tow to the Police Department within one hour of taking the vehicle, giving the vehicle description, license plate, VIN, tow location, and storage-facility location (§ 26-773). If a towed vehicle later turns out to be stolen, the city will not reimburse the towing fee and can seize the vehicle as evidence (§ 26-773(b)).
Violations & Fines
Failure to report a non-consent tow within one hour, or operating without a city permit, exposes a towing company to permit revocation and administrative or criminal penalties under § 26-777–§ 26-778.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast must a towing company report a non-consent tow in Wichita Falls?
Does a towing company need a city permit to operate in Wichita Falls?
What happens if a non-consent tow turns out to be a stolen vehicle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wichita Falls
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