A vehicle removed pursuant to this chapter shall be stored in a facility that meets all of the following requirements:
A. Shall remain open during normal business hours and releases vehicles after normal business hours.
1. A gate fee may be charged for releasing a vehicle after normal business hours, weekends, and state holidays. However, the maximum hourly charge for releasing a vehicle after normal business hours shall be one-half of the hourly tow rate charged for initially towing the vehicle, or less.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and for purposes of this paragraph, “normal business hours” are Monday to Friday, inclusive, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except state and federal holidays.
B. Shall be adequately fenced with gates locked and secured and reasonably well-lit to maintain a maximum of security for stored and impounded vehicles. Perimeter gates and fencing shall be maintained to ensure security and discourage unauthorized access.
C. All vehicle storage lots must be inspected and approved by the Police Department.
D. Open area storage yard(s) shall comply with all requirements of the zoning and building codes of the jurisdiction of the facility.
E. Shall have a working public pay telephone in the office area that is open and accessible to the public.
F. The tow operator shall repair any damage to wall structures and fences within 24 hours to ensure proper protection for the stored/impounded vehicles.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the damage can allow the security of the facility to be breached, the damage must be repaired or security personnel posted at the site of the damage immediately upon the discovery of the damage.
G. Prior to the utilization of a new storage facility that meets the requirements of Section 3.74.050 of this chapter, the tow service operator shall obtain the approval of the Chief of Police or his or her designee and furnish the new address thirty (30) days in advance for inspection.
H. All vehicles impounded for evidence purposes shall be stored in an enclosed and secured facility that is maintained pursuant to best practices and requirements of the Fullerton Police Department, including appropriate chain of custody documentation, to preserve evidence. Any damage to the enclosure and/or locking mechanisms shall be repaired immediately, with such damage and repair documented and reported immediately to the Fullerton Police Department. The police tow operator shall ensure that only authorized personnel and the Fullerton Police Department shall have access to the facility, and that the police tow operator’s personnel shall not tamper in any manner whatsoever with vehicles stored for evidence purposes.
(Ord. 3282 § 1(part), 2020)