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Fort Worth, TX Code of Ordinances
FORT WORTH, TEXAS CODE OF ORDINANCES
OFFICIALS of the CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
PART I: THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH
PART II: CITY CODE
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 2: ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER 2.5: RETIREMENT
CHAPTER 3: AIRPORTS AND AIRCRAFT
CHAPTER 4: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
CHAPTER 5: AMBULANCES/EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
CHAPTER 6: ANIMALS AND FOWL
CHAPTER 7: BUILDINGS
CHAPTER 8: CABLE COMMUNICATION SERVICE
CHAPTER 9: COMMUNITY FACILITIES AGREEMENTS
CHAPTER 10: COURTS
CHAPTER 11: ELECTRICITY
CHAPTER 11.5: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 12: EMERGENCY REPORTING EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 12.5: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND COMPLIANCE
CHAPTER 13: FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
CHAPTER 14: RESERVED
CHAPTER 15: GAS
CHAPTER 16: HEALTH AND SANITATION
CHAPTER 17: HUMAN RELATIONS
CHAPTER 18: LAKE WORTH
CHAPTER 19: LIBRARIES
CHAPTER 20: LICENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 21: RESERVED
CHAPTER 22: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
CHAPTER 23: OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 24: PARK AND RECREATION
CHAPTER 25: RESERVED
CHAPTER 26: PLUMBING
CHAPTER 27: POLICE
CHAPTER 28: PUBLIC UTILITIES
CHAPTER 29: SIGNS
CHAPTER 29.5: SMOKING
CHAPTER 30: STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
CHAPTER 31: SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE
CHAPTER 32: TAXATION
CHAPTER 33: TREES, SHRUBS, ETC.
CHAPTER 34: VEHICLES FOR HIRE
CHAPTER 35: WATER AND SEWERS
CHAPTER 36: RESERVED
APPENDIX A: ZONING REGULATIONS
APPENDIX B: CODE COMPLIANCE
APPENDIX C: RESERVED
CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE
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§ 34-182 TOWING COMPANY REQUIRED TO REGISTER; AND INSPECTION FOR COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE STATE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.
   (a)   This section applies only to towing companies that perform nonconsent tows in the City of Fort Worth.
   (b)   No towing company shall operate a tow truck used for nonconsent tows within the city limits without first registering with the city. The registration shall expire on September 30 of each year. The registration fee shall be $50 per year.
   (c)   Each registration shall be made in person at the office of the police chief or at such other location that may be designated on a form to be provided by the police department. Such registration shall contain the name, address and telephone number of the towing company, the number and types of tow trucks to be operated, the true owner of the towing company concerned, and a list of property locations within the city that the towing company is authorized by a property owner or agent to perform nonconsent tows.
   (d)   The police chief shall inspect all tow trucks to ensure compliance with all applicable state laws, rules and regulations. The inspection fee for each tow truck is $30. No inspection certificate to operate a tow truck within the city shall be issued to a towing company until every tow truck proposed to be used by that towing company complies with at least the minimum requirements set by applicable state laws, rules and regulations.
(Ord. 23222-05-2018, § 1, passed 5-15-2018)
§ 34-183 MAXIMUM DISTANCE OF NONCONSENT TOWS.
   Nonconsent towed vehicles must be taken to a vehicle storage facility that is:
   (a)   Within one mile of the corporate limits of the City of Fort Worth; and
   (b)   No more than 20 miles from the location from which the vehicle was removed.
(Ord. 23222-05-2018, § 1, passed 5-15-2018; Ord. 25674-08-2022, § 2, passed 8-23-2022, eff. 9-1-2022)
§ 34-184 REPORTS REQUIRED.
   (a)   Each towing company performing nonconsent tows of vehicles within the city, will provide a weekly written report to the police department of all vehicles towed as a nonconsent tow from any public roadway or parking facility, during the previous one-week period, which shall include the following information:
      (1)   Make, model and color of the vehicle towed;
      (2)   License number and/or V.I.N. of the vehicle;
      (3)   Location of the origin of the pull;
      (4)   Location of the destination of the pull;
      (5)   The date and time the pull was made; and
      (6)   The name, address and phone number of the party requesting the service.
   (b)   In addition to providing a weekly written report, each towing company towing vehicles within the city will provide the same information telephonically or electronically to the police department immediately upon leaving the scene of any nonconsent tow. Under no circumstances shall notification exceed 45 minutes from the time the tow truck leaves the scene of any nonconsent tow originating within the city.
   (c)   Written reports shall be provided electronically in the manner designated by the police chief. Telephonic notification shall be provided to the telephone number designated by the police chief. Information on where and how to submit electronically or telephonically shall be published on the police department's website and shall be provided to each towing company at the time the towing company completes its annual registration.
(Ord. 23222-05-2018, § 1, passed 5-15-2018)
§ 34-185 REMOVAL OF DEBRIS FROM ACCIDENT SCENE.
   Each towing company called to an accident or incident, that provides a towing service, shall completely remove all resulting wreckage and debris from the public roadway before departing from the accident or incident site. Removal of wreckage will not be considered completed by merely sweeping debris to the curbline. All such wreckage shall be removed from the accident or incident site completely.
(Ord. 23222-05-2018, § 1, passed 5-15-2018)
§ 34-186 PROHIBITED AT SCENE UNLESS CALLED.
   No person shall drive a tow truck to or near the site of an accident or incident within the city unless such person has been called to the site by the owner or operator of the vehicle, by his or her authorized representative, or by the police department. A towing company whose assistance has been requested by the owner of a disabled or wrecked vehicle, shall notify the police department electronically or telephonically, in the same manner in which required reports are made pursuant to this article, of his or her intention to be present on the scene, prior to proceeding to the site of the disabled or wrecked vehicle.
(Ord. 23222-05-2018, § 1, passed 5-15-2018)
§ 34-187 SOLICITATION.
   (a)   No person shall solicit in any manner directly or indirectly, on the public roadways of the city, at or near an accident or incident site within the city, any business regarding wrecked or disabled vehicles regardless of whether the solicitation is for the purpose of removing, repairing, wrecking, storing, trading or purchasing such vehicle.
   (b)   The presence of any person engaged in the tow truck business or other businesses for which solicitation is hereby prohibited, either as owner, operator, employee or agent on any public roadway at or near the site of an accident or incident within one hour after the happening of such accident or incident shall be prima facie evidence of a solicitation in violation of this section.
(Ord. 23222-05-2018, § 1, passed 5-15-2018)
§ 34-188 TOWING VEHICLES CONTAINING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, AND NOTIFICATION.
   (a)   Towing company must be in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations regarding the transportation of hazardous materials in order to tow a vehicle which contains or is reasonably believed to contain hazardous materials.
   (b)   In the event a towing company seeks to tow a motor vehicle or trailer containing, or reasonably believed to contain, hazardous materials, and the materials have leaked or appear to be leaking, the towing company shall immediately advise the Fort Worth Fire Department of the leakage. The motor vehicle or trailer will not be moved until inspected by the fire department. The fire department will be the sole authority in determining the appropriate precautions to be taken prior to authorizing the motor vehicle or trailer to be moved by the towing company.
(Ord. 23222-05-2018, § 1, passed 5-15-2018)
DIVISION 3: LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSE TOWS
§ 34-189 APPLICABILITY OF DIVISION 3.
   Division 3 shall apply to all towing companies or any person or entity that manages or performs law enforcement purpose tows for the city. Any entity contracted with the city under this division must comply with Division 2 and Division 3 of this article.
(Ord. 23222-05-2018, § 1, passed 5-15-2018)
§ 34-190 CONTRACTED SERVICES.
   (a)   Management and execution of all law enforcement purpose tows and related storage at vehicle storage facilities shall be undertaken pursuant to one or more contracts, subcontracts, or both.
   (b)   Contracted services with the city must be procured in accordance with applicable state law. The city enters into these contracts as a market participant to facilitate the efficient procurement of needed services and to promote safety and efficiency.
(Ord. 23222-05-2018, § 1, passed 5-15-2018)
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