(a) The maximum fee that a licensee or permittee may charge for vehicle tow service, regardless of whether a tilt-bed wrecker or a conventional wrecker is used, is:
(1) $121 for towage of a vehicle with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 10,000 pounds;
(2) $191 for towage of a vehicle with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds but not more than 26,000 pounds; and
(3) $445 for towage of a vehicle with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds.
(b) No additional fee may be charged for linkage of a vehicle prior to a tow or for the use of dollies or go-jacks.
(c) If a licensee or permittee tows a stolen vehicle, or a vehicle later determined to be stolen, the licensee or permittee may charge the lawful owner of the vehicle no more than the maximum fee for towage. A vehicle tow service may not charge a fee to the police department if the police department takes custody of a stolen vehicle.
(d) A licensee or permittee commits an offense if he, either personally or through an employee, subcontractor, or agent, charges:
(1) more than the maximum fee allowed by this section for the particular vehicle towed; or
(2) any fee in addition to:
(A) a towage fee lawfully charged under this section; or
(B) a storage, preservation, or notification fee lawfully charged under the Vehicle Storage Facility Act.
(e) A licensee or permittee shall provide a vehicle owner the option of paying the fee for vehicle tow service by cash or a major credit card. (Ord. Nos. 19099; 19300; 21435; 23106; 24175; 25812; 27721)