Towing rules in Massachusetts
What the state says about towing, with the page each rule comes from. It's a summary of the published rules, not legal advice, and your city or county can have rules of its own.
Updated October 6, 2026
Tow company licensing
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities certifies tow companies to do involuntary tows, including trespass tows and tows ordered by police.1-3 Check a tow company's license on the state's license lookup.
Limits on police and private-property tow fees
In Massachusetts, the most a company may charge for a trespass tow or a tow ordered by police of a passenger car is $132 for up to five miles, including one hour of service or waiting time. Beyond five miles the most is $4.40 a mile, and extra time is capped at $51 per half hour. The figures are as of December 13, 2023.4
Storage fees
Ask the tow yard for its daily storage fee and the hours you can collect your car.
Towed from a private lot
In Massachusetts, the property controller must forbid parking, either directly or by a posted notice. Before any vehicle is removed, the controller must notify the local police chief, in writing unless the chief says otherwise, giving the from and to addresses, the plate number and the towing company.5
Where to complain
Complaints about an involuntary tow go to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, Transportation Oversight Division. Complaints about a tow ordered by police go to the State Police.1
Get quotes from tow companies in your county
One request instead of calling tow companies one at a time. It's free, and you don't have to hire anyone. Your request may go to contractors nearby.
Sources
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts: towing companies regulated by the department of public utilities dpu ↑
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts: tow companies need a certificate to conduct trespass or police-ordered tows ↑
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts: apply to perform involuntary tows in massachusetts ↑
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 220 CMR 272.00, rates for the towing of motor vehicles, effective December 13, 2023 ↑
- Massachusetts General Laws chapter 266, section 120D ↑
Tow companies in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has 864 tow companies listed, and 770 of them hold an active USDOT registration. Browse them by county and call one directly, or schedule a tow and we'll pass it to tow companies near you.
Cite this page
“Towing rules in Massachusetts.” FindTowingTruck.com, updated October 6, 2026. https://findtowingtruck.com/ma/rules/