Wilmington, DE Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual license fee
- $300
- Re-licensing bar after violation
- 5 years
- Enforcing office
- Commissioner of Licenses and Inspection
- Owner right
- Inspect vehicle before signing release
Summary
Wilmington requires a $300 annual license for towing establishments and bans withholding a vehicle from its owner after full payment.
A towing establishment which tows any motor vehicle from, to or within the city shall allow the owner of the motor vehicle the right to inspect the vehicle before the owner signs any release of liability, and shall allow the owner of the motor vehicle to remove the vehicle, once payment in full has been made to the towing establishment, in any safe and legal way necessary, including jump-starting, pushing or towing by the owner.(b)Any violation of subsection (a) of this section, as determined after a hearing by the commissioner of licenses and inspection, shall constitute good cause for the revocation of a towing establishment license issued. Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall not be granted a towing establishment license for five years from the date of such violation. (Code 1968, § 35-30.1)
Cross reference— Vehicle towing, impoundment and immobilization, § 37-121 et seq.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Any towing establishment that tows a vehicle from, to, or within Wilmington must let the owner inspect the vehicle before signing any liability release, and must let the owner remove the vehicle by any safe, legal means once payment in full is made. The commissioner of licenses and inspection can revoke a towing establishment's license after a hearing, and a violator is barred from getting a towing license again for five years. Towing establishments also pay an annual $300 city business license fee.
Violations & Fines
Violation is good cause for license revocation after a commissioner of licenses and inspection hearing, plus a five-year bar on re-licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Wilmington tow company hold my car after I pay in full?
What happens if a tow company breaks this rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wilmington
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