(A) Prior to towing any vehicle from a private parking lot, a private tow operator shall contact the Louisville Metro Police Department via telephone at (502) 574-5673 and provide the information as set forth in subsections (A)(1) through (A)(5), below. Louisville Metro Police Department will advise the private tow operator to either proceed with the tow or to leave the vehicle for the Louisville Metro Police Department to investigate. Private tow operators towing a vehicle located in a suburban city within Jefferson County that operates its own police department should also notify the suburban city police authority. This notification shall include:
(1) The make, model, color, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle to be towed;
(2) The license number and state of issuance of the license plate;
(3) The location where the tow is to occur;
(4) The location name, physical address, and telephone number of the private tow company storage yard where the towed vehicle will be taken; and
(5) The name, physical address, and telephone number of the private tow operator.
(B) Within one business day of the towing of any vehicle by a private tow operator from a private parking lot, the private tow operator shall notify the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet as provided in KRS 281.928, and, in addition to any information required by that statute, shall provide similar information as set out in subsections (A)(1) through (A)(5), above, except, in subsections (A)(3) and (A)(4), the private tow operator shall set forth the date, time, and location from where the vehicle was towed, and the location of the private tow company storage yard where the vehicle was taken.
(C) Upon receipt of the name and address of the registered owner and any lienholder of the motor vehicle from the Transportation Cabinet, the private tow operator shall notify the registered owner and any lienholder, by certified mail, that the motor vehicle has been towed or removed, providing all information set forth in subsection (B), and any additional information needed for the registered owner or lienholder of authorized designee thereof to reclaim the motor vehicle.
(D) Private tow operators shall be responsible for all notifications required by subsections (A) through (C) of this section, and any additional notifications required by KRS 281.928 and KRS 376.275, and all costs associated therewith.
(E) It shall be unlawful for a private tow service operator, owner or employee to provide false information to any person or entity designated to receive information under subsections (A) through (D) of this section.
(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 169-2021, approved 11-16-2021)