Youngstown, OH Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Chapter 343 of the Youngstown Codified Ordinances requires every tow truck owner to hold a valid license before permitting a tow truck to be used for towing in the City (§ 343.02(a)). The exemption in § 343.02(b) covers owners towing their own property for recreation or vehicles merely passing through the City. Applications go in person to the Director of Finance under oath (§ 343.03(a)); the fee is $50.00 for the first vehicle license and $10.00 for each additional vehicle licensed by the same owner, plus $10.00 to replace a lost or stolen license tag (§ 343.03(b)).

Licenses run one year from issuance, are evidenced by a tag fixed to the front bumper, and cannot be transferred to another tow truck (§ 343.04). The Director of Finance may deny, suspend or revoke a license for lack of fitness or for a substantiated complaint about parts, property or damage involving an impounded vehicle (§ 343.05); a denied or revoked applicant can appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals within ten days (§ 343.06). Owners must carry garage keeper's legal liability coverage of at least $100,000 and general liability of at least $300,000 (§ 343.07), must letter both sides of the tow vehicle with the owner's name, address and phone number in specified letter heights (§ 343.08), and must keep a transport sheet for every moved vehicle recording dates, owner information, vehicle identification, origin, destination, charges and who authorized the move, retained for six months and available to police (§§ 343.09-343.11).