News Summary
Private Party Impound, a Kansas City towing company, is suing the city and Jackson County over new towing ordinances they claim violate state law. The lawsuit opposes the lack of ownership verification before releasing towed vehicles, potentially leading to vehicle theft. Scheduled for a hearing in October, the lawsuit argues that the ordinances impose excessive regulations that threaten the towing industry. The city defends the measures as consumer protection against predatory towing practices.
Kansas City – Private Party Impound, LLC, a towing company based in Kansas City, has taken legal action against both the city and Jackson County, arguing that newly established towing ordinances violate state law. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block the enforcement of these rules, which the company contends could lead to vehicle theft by making it easier for non-owners to retrieve towed vehicles.
The newly enacted ordinances, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, include changes that do not mandate verification of vehicle ownership prior to the release of towed vehicles. According to Private Party Impound, this lack of requirement raises significant concerns as it does not compel towing companies to check for valid titles, registrations, or proof of ownership from individuals claiming their vehicles. Instead, the towing laws create a dichotomy for tow truck drivers: they must either adhere to local ordinances, potentially conflicting with state law, or follow state law while facing local penalties.
The lawsuit highlights the challenges that the towing industry could face due to Jackson County’s regulations, which the company believes impose excessive licensing requirements and penalties compared to neighboring counties. This situation threatens the viability of local towing businesses, according to Private Party Impound.
The lawsuit specifically requests that a judge deem the new towing ordinances illegal and unenforceable. A courtroom hearing on the matter is scheduled for October 7, 2025. The towing company argues that the newly implemented city ordinance endangers the impound process by potentially allowing vehicles to be released to individuals with no legitimate claim to them.
In response to the lawsuit, a representative from the Kansas City Mayor’s office indicated that the purpose of the ordinance is to protect consumers from predatory towing practices, which have been a growing concern among residents. The Kansas City city manager’s office has chosen not to comment on the ongoing litigation.
The Kansas City council passed the new towing ordinance on May 1, 2025. Key provisions of the ordinance include the establishment of a towed vehicle owner bill of rights, aimed at ensuring fairness and transparency in the towing process. The Kansas City Regulated Industries will be tasked with overseeing the implementation of these new regulations.
Additionally, the city manager will identify an online platform for reporting tows and collaborate with Jackson County to establish penalties for any violations of the towing ordinances. Kansas City police will be responsible for enforcing compliance among towing companies.
As for the Jackson County regulations, they require tow companies to possess a valid tow license, which costs $500 per year, with an additional fee of $100 for each extra tow truck operated. Moreover, the county’s ordinance includes measures allowing for license suspensions based on the performance history of drivers and towing companies.
Background factors contributing to the development of these new ordinances stem from public complaints regarding questionable towing practices. These complaints prompted the city council’s decision to take action and create new safeguards for vehicle owners.
Private Party Impound is operated by Allen “Jay” Bloodworth, who has had a controversial history; he was previously arrested in association with allegations of illegal towing practices, though he maintains his innocence. The current lawsuit and its implications for the local towing industry represent a significant point of contention between the city, the county, and local towing businesses.
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Additional Resources
- KCTV5: Kansas City Tow Companies Sue City and County
- Wikipedia: Towing
- FOX4: Kansas City Tow Companies Fighting Back
- Google Search: Kansas City towing lawsuit
- KSHB: Tow Company Suing Kansas City
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vehicle Impoundment
- KMBC: Kansas City Towing Company Lawsuit
- Google News: Towing Complaints Kansas City
- KCTV5: Local Towing Company Claims Ordinance Unconstitutional
- Google Scholar: Kansas City towing ordinances
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
