TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida; Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Chapter 74 - Traffic and Vehicles, adding Article VII - Law Enforcement Requested Towing; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Ordinance No. 2026-30 as presented and continue to second reading on November 10, 2026.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Ordinance No. 2026-30 as presented and continue to second reading on November 10, 2026.
• Pros: Provides better protection for residents through clear towing rules, improves accountability for towing companies by establishing requirements for response times, authorizations, documentation, vehicle condition reports, storage facilities, and communication with vehicle owners, and allows the City to engage additional tow companies to complete authorized tows within the city limits.
• Cons: Staff have not identified any foreseeable consequences to approving Ordinance No. 2026-30.
Option 2: Deny Ordinance No. 2026-30.
• Pros: Staff have not identified any foreseeable benefits to denying Ordinance No. 2026-30.
• Cons: Continues to operate under the restrictions of the Sarasota County towing ordinance, limiting the City to tow companies with business locations within Sarasota County, restricting access to qualified tow companies in neighboring Charlotte County due to the City’s geographic location, and continuing to rely on a single tow company, which may create a perception of exclusivity.
Option 3: Provide direction to revise the ordinance and bring it back for a second reading at a later date.
• Pros: Allows time for refinements based on Commission input.
• Cons: Delays implementation; may require additional legal review.
Background Information
The City of North Port has operated for many years under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sarasota County for towing services. The current arrangement relies on the requirements established under the County’s towing ordinance, which limits the City’s ability to establish and manage its own towing requirements and expectations.
Sarasota County’s ordinance requires towing companies seeking placement on the County’s tow rotation list to maintain a business location within Sarasota County. This requirement has significantly limited the number of towing companies eligible to provide services within the City of North Port. The City has utilized only one towing company over the past seven years, and the City’s existing zoning options have made establishing additional tow yards within North Port challenging.
The proposed City-specific towing ordinance would allow North Port to establish locally applicable regulations governing towing services and create a tow rotation list for qualified towing businesses. Due to the City’s geographic location, the proposed ordinance would also provide an opportunity to consider qualified towing companies located in neighboring Charlotte County for inclusion on the City’s tow rotation list, subject to the requirements established by the City.
Establishing a City-specific towing ordinance would provide greater local control over towing requirements, expand opportunities for qualified towing providers to serve the City, promote a fair and competitive tow rotation process, and potentially increase commercial tax revenue generated within the City.
Ordinance No. 2026-30 serves the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of North Port, Florida.
Ordinance No. 2026-30 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The Business Impact Estimate for Ordinance No. 2026-30 will be posted timely on the City’s website prior to final reading, per Florida Statutes Section 166.041(4).
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2026-30
2. Business Impact Estimate
3. Policy No. 201.15 - Inspection and Licensing of Wreckers
Prepared by: Jamie Ebershoff, Executive Assistant
Brian Gregory, Patrol Bureau Captain
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police