CHAPEL HILL – On Monday, Chapel Hill’s towing ordinance that was once struck down by a North Carolina Superior Court Judge takes effect.

On June 4, the state Court of Appeals reversed the court’s ruling that struck down Chapel Hill’s ordinance. The town originally adopted the ordinance in March 2012, but the ordinance never took effect because George King, operator of George’s Towing, challenged the Town Council.

The new ordinance regulates and caps tow fees, it states that lots may not be located farther than 15 miles outside the town, and requires adequate signage for tow zones. Tow companies must also provide the person making the payment for the tow with a copy of the “Town of Chapel Hill Towing Information Handout”.

If a person returns to their car before it can be towed, the tow truck operator must return the car to the person without charging a fee unless the vehicle was already attached to the truck. If it was, a fee no more than $50 may be charged.

The ordinance also says a call to the towing company must be returned within 15 minutes of a message being left. Within 30 minutes of the call being answered or message being left, a person with the proper authority must release the location of the vehicle.

Related Stories
‹
Juneteenth Holiday to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County
Across the country on Friday, Black Americans and communities will celebrate Juneteenth — the national recognition of when the final slaves were freed in the 19th century and of African-American culture. As a holiday, government services around the Orange County community will be affected on June 19 and the surrounding days. Here’s what residents can […]
Here Are the Orange County Local Governments’ Approved Budgets, Tax Rates for 2026-27
The final totals and changes for Orange County governments' budgets are being finalized. Here are the details of each approved so far.
Chapel Hill Approves FY27 Budget with No Tax Increases; Will Revisit Library Funding, Greenways in Fall
The unanimous vote approved the Town of Chapel Hill to operate on a $170 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a slight increase.
'Professionals Behind the Wheel': Chapel Hill Transit Competition Challenges and Celebrates Its Operators
Chapel Hill Transit held its annual roadeo competition this past weekend, where operators showed off their skills in a timed obstacle course.
Photo Gallery: Chapel Hill Transit Roadeo 2026 Competition
The Chapel Hill Transit system held its annual Roadeo competition among its bus operators to see who could best navigate an obstacle course.
Chapel Hill Announces Adjusted Hours for Indoor Recreational Facilities and Centers
A difficult financial landscape is causing both residents and our local governments to tighten their budgets. In Chapel Hill, the town’s Parks and Recreation Department is adjusting its facilities hours – which helps keep costs more efficient, but leaders say also addresses bigger goals of the parks crew. The updates, as announced on Monday, shift […]
NCDOT to Begin Resurfacing Highway 86 June 1; Overnight Delays Expected
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin resurfacing a part of North Carolina Highway 86 in Chapel Hill Monday, June 1. The work will take place between the intersections with Estes Drive and Franklin Street, through the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/South Columbia Street corridor. In a release, the Town of Chapel […]
Garbage Collection, Local Transit and More: How Memorial Day Will Impact Local Services
The observation of Memorial Day Monday, May 25 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Memorial Day is an official town holiday. Most town and other administrative offices will be closed. Residential trash will not be collected on Monday, with the make-up day […]
Blue Sky Robotics Expanding Chapel Hill Headquarters, Moving to Rosemary Street
Blue Sky Robotics, which has been headquartered in downtown Chapel Hill since its founding in 2023, will be moving to the Innovate Carolina Junction building at 136 East Rosemary Street. The company is currently located in the Hill Commercial Building on 142 East Franklin Street. In a presentation to the Chapel Hill Town Council Wednesday […]
Our Town: The Story of Bike Month in Chapel Hill
This month, Alyson West from the Office of Mobility and Greenways and Brennan Bouma from Chapel Hill's Sustainability team, tell the story of Bike Month in Chapel Hill. 
›