Jackson County legislators address predatory towing as they await full vote

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Jackson County legislators address predatory towing ordinance, waiting on Jackson County to follow suit

Kansas city representatives are outlining the city’s newest towing ordinance just days after unanimously passing stricter laws and regulations.

Under the new ordinance, tow operators will have a list of requirements when towing a vehicle.

• Car owners have to be there in person to witness an authorized tow
• Operators have to document every tow through an electronic system, providing detailed information to law enforcement
• Before taking a vehicle away, the tow company has to contact Kansas City Police

Moving forward, city representatives said any violations to this ordinance will lead to a towing license being revoked, as long as Jackson County passes its own ordinance. According to Missouri state law, only the county can authorize a towing license.

Chairman of the Jackson County Legislature, DaRon McGee, is hopeful Jackson County legislators can set up licensing guidelines in the near future.

“The state gives us authority to license, it doesn’t give the city the power to license,” McGee said. “That’s why they need us to license them so the city has some teeth to enforce their municipal code.”

McGee said legislators could vote on a licensing ordinance as soon as Monday, May 5.

Jackson County Proposal

License and Fees

The proposal calls for each business or independent tow driver either located in the county, or that does at least 50% of business in the county, to have a valid tow license from Jackson County.

The business license would be an annual fee of $1,000. In addition, each business would be charged a $250 fee for each tow truck or wrecker they use.

In addition to the tow license, each business or driver must have a valid paid personal property tax receipt from the county.

Revenue from the tow licensing fees would go to the Housing Resources Commission under the proposal.

Proposed Penalties

The proposal includes suspending licenses. The length would likely depend on a company or driver’s history.

• 45-90 day suspension
  Business or driver violates any part of the law in place
  Business or driver violates city ordinances that pertain to tows
  Business or driver has an active bench warrant
  
• 1 year suspension
  Business or driver violates ordinance two or more times in 12 months
  
• 2 year suspension
  Business or driver conducts tow operations while tow license is suspended

The proposal still needs to be approved by committee members, the full legislature, and finally signed by County Executive Frank White to take effect. McGee said legislators could vote on a licensing ordinance as soon as Monday, May 5.

To get the latest news sent to your phone, download the KCTV5 News app here.

Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.