777.05 TERM OF PERMIT.

   All permits issued pursuant to Section 777.04 shall terminate on December 31 of each year, unless revoked by the Chief of Police. Permit renewals shall be made within thirty days prior to the December 31 termination date for the current permit.

(Ord. 25-1984. Passed 2-6-84.)

777.06 ASSIGNMENT OR TRANSFER OF PERMIT.

   No permit issued for any tow truck under the provisions of this chapter shall be assigned or transferred to any other tow truck. It shall be the duty of the owner of the tow truck to destroy the permit decal if the owner should sell the tow truck.

(Ord. 69-1982. Passed 4-5-82.)

777.07 PERMIT DENIAL, SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION.

   (a)   The Chief of Police may deny the issuance of any tow truck owner's permit to any person who, upon investigation, clearly lacks qualification and fitness to be issued a permit under this chapter.

   (b)   Any permit issued pursuant to the terms of Section 777.04 may be suspended or revoked at any time by the Chief of Police:

      (1)   Upon satisfactory proof of the violation of any provision of this chapter;

      (2)   For any reason that would have been grounds for refusal to issue an original permit; or

      (3)   Upon satisfactory proof that a tow truck owner has failed to resolve complaints involving parts or property taken from an impounded vehicle, or damage to an impounded vehicle, when such complaints are substantiated by information contained in police reports.

(Ord. 69-1982. Passed 4-5-82.)

777.08 APPEAL FROM PERMIT DENIAL, SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION.

   Permit issuance shall be under authority of the Chief of Police. In the case of refusal to issue a permit, or the revocation or suspension of a permit by the Chief of Police, the applicant or permit holder may appeal from such order to the Director of Public Safety, provided that written appeal is filed within ten days of the day that the decision being appealed was made. The Director of Public Safety shall conduct a hearing and render a decision on the appeal within thirty days of the filing of the appeal.

(Ord. 69-1982. Passed 4-5-82.)

777.09 LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIRED.

   Each tow truck owner shall furnish, at the time of application and/or renewal of such permit, a certificate of insurance or an acknowledgment thereof, by an insurance carrier licensed to do business in the State, evidence of a garage keepers legal liability, to protect property left in his or her care, custody or control, in an amount of not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and general liability in an amount not less than two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000). The provisions of this section relating to a garage keepers legal liability shall not apply to a tow truck owner who establishes to the satisfaction of the Chief of Police that such owner does not operate or maintain garage or vehicular storage facilities.

777.10 TOW TRUCK IDENTIFICATION.

   Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of offering towing services shall have imprinted on both sides of any vehicle used as a tow truck, slide or tilt bed carrier, or car hauler, the name, address and telephone number of the person, firm or corporation owning such vehicle. The name shall be imprinted in letters at least three inches high and not less than three-eighths of an inch wide. The address and telephone numbers shall be imprinted in letters not less than two inches high and not less than three-eighths of an inch wide. Lettering shall be done in color which will contrast sharply with the color of the background upon which it is imprinted, and shall be placed in a position as to be easily seen by anyone wishing to identify the vehicle. Imprinting shall be kept clear and distinct at all times.

(Ord. 69-1982. Passed 4-5-82.)

777.11 TRANSPORT SHEET REQUIRED.

   (a)   Tow truck operators shall at all times maintain a current transport sheet containing the following information in the proper sequence on the motor vehicles that are moved from one location to another:

      (1)   Date and time;

      (2)   Name and address of the owner of the vehicle being towed;

      (3)   Vehicle identification number or license number of the vehicle being towed;

      (4)   Year, make and model of vehicle being towed;

      (5)   Location of origin of the tow;

      (6)   Location of the destination of the vehicle being towed;

      (7)   Amount of charges; and

      (8)   Name of person who authorized the tow.

   (b)   Such entries required by subsection (a) hereof shall be made at the time of the act, and recorded legibly and accurately and completed as directed in this section. These transport sheets shall be made available for inspection upon request of any police officer. This section shall not apply to salvage motor vehicle dealers.

   (c)   No tow truck shall have in tow a motor vehicle for which the operator does not have in his or her possession authorization to move such vehicle. The authorization of the owner or police officer shall include, but not be limited to, the name of the owner of the motor vehicle, the name and telephone number of the person authorizing the towing of the motor vehicle, and the motor vehicle's vehicle identification number and/or license number.

(Ord. 69-1982. Passed 4-5-82.)