IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE enacting sections 5293., 5294., 5295., 5296., and 5297., of Jackson County Code, 1984, related to the subject of wreckers and tow services.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 5978, April 21, 2025
INTRODUCED BY DaRon McGee and Venessa Huskey, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Jackson County Legislature to ensure the safe regulation and operation of wreckers and tow services operating in the Jackson County area; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature desires to create five new sections in Chapter 52 regarding wreckers and tow services; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Enacting Clause. Sections 5293., 5294, 5295., 5296., 5297., and 5298., Jackson County Code, 1984, are hereby enacted, to read as follows:
WRECKERS AND TOW SERVICES
5293. License and Fees Required.
5293.1. It shall be unlawful for any firm, person or corporation to operate a wrecker or tow service business within Jackson County, Missouri, without first having a valid license to tow from Jackson County and a valid paid personal property tax receipt from the county collector of Jackson County. Operating a wrecker or tow service business shall be defined as having such a business physically located in the county or conducting more than 50 percent of its wrecker or tow service business activities within the county.
5293.2. Effective January 1, 2026, the fee for the license shall be set at $1000.00 per year, per business, and $250.00 per vehicle, per year, and said license shall be issued on or before January 1 of each year and expire on December 31, of that year. There will be no prorating for this fee. Fees shall be paid annually to the Jackson County Clerk’s Office and all revenue shall go to the Housing Resources Commission.
5294. Registry and requirements of U.S. department of transportation.
5294.1 All wreckers or tow trucks with gross vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds shall be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation and meet all requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
5295. Liability.
5295.1 All wreckers or tow trucks operated within Jackson County, Missouri, shall be insured with liability insurance as follows:
a. Bodily injury liability-$100,000.00 each person; $300,000.00 each accident.
b. Property damage liability-$100,000.00 each accident.
c. All persons or businesses applying for a tow truck license must present a valid certificate of insurance showing a minimum of the liability limits above. This must be done at the time of application.
5296. Garage Keepers Liability.
5296.1 Any wrecker or tow service business licensed within Jackson County, Missouri, shall maintain garage keepers liability insurance with minimum limits of $100,000.00, which would cover any vehicle in tow or while in storage at operator's place of business.
5297. Suspension and Revocation.
5297.1 Any wrecker or tow service business shall have their license suspended for a period of not less than 45 days but no more than 90 days whenever it is shown that:
a. The wrecker or tow service business, or their agent or employee, has violated the provisions of this chapter;
b. The wrecker or tow service business, or their agent or employee, has violated applicable municipal ordinances pertaining to tow operations;
c. The wrecker or tow service business, or their agent or employee, has an active bench warrant for an unresolved state or municipal ordinance violation.
5297.2 Any wrecker or tow service business shall have their license revoked for a period of 1 year whenever it is shown that the business, or their agent or employee, has violated provisions of this chapter or applicable municipal ordinances two or more times within 12 months.
5297.3 Any wrecker or tow service business shall have their license revoked for a period of 2 years whenever it is shown that the business, or their agent or employee, has conducted tow operations with a suspended license.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its signature by the County Executive.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
I hereby certify that the attached ordinance, Ordinance No. 5978 introduced on April 21, 2025, was duly passed on__________________, 2025 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______________ Nays ______________
Abstaining ___________ Absent _____________
This Ordinance is hereby transmitted to the County Executive for his signature.
____________________ ________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature
I hereby approve the attached Ordinance No. 5978.
____________________ ________________________________
Date Frank White, Jr., County Executive