(A) A tow truck under this subchapter shall not charge any fees in excess of rates established by the TCPD and confirmed by the City Commission. If a situation occurs where rates established by the state apply and those rates are in conflict with city rates, the towing company shall comply with state regulations. The permitted towing service rate schedule is as determined by City Commission. The bill for towing any motor vehicle shall be itemized to reflect the services performed, labor, and/or other materials required and/or any other applicable charges. A copy shall be provided to the TCPD within ten calendar days, when requested.
(1) The maximum base towing charge for a non-consent tow shall be $150. The maximum towing base charge for a non-consent heavy-duty tow shall be $250, plus $ 150 per hour after the first hour, or portion thereof, on the scene, not including tow time to destination. The maximum towing base charge for vehicles in the water is $250. The maximum towing base charge for vehicles over the rocks on the Texas City Dike is $250. If a heavy-duty wrecker is requested, the charge shall be in accordance with the following fee schedule.
STANDARD SERVICES | MAXIMUM FEE |
STANDARD SERVICES | MAXIMUM FEE |
Standard Tow - Light- or Medium- Duty | $150 |
Motorcycle Tow | $175 |
Heavy-Duty Tow (single vehicle, combination or trailer) | $250 + $150 per hour (or portion thereof) after first hour on scene, not including tow time to destination |
Submerged/Partially Submerged Vehicle (any type) | Light-Duty: $200 Heavy-Duty: $250 + $150 per hour after first hour (or portion thereof) on scene, not including tow time to destination |
Trailer, Light- or Medium-Duty (no vehicle) | $150 |
Vehicle + Trailer (light- and medium-duty) | $150 |
Boat or other item (with or without trailer) | $150 |
SPECIAL SERVICES | |
Dolly fee | $45 + Standard Tow* |
Ditch or Sand Pull | $65 + Standard Tow* |
Rollover | $85 + Standard Tow* |
Shift Transmission Under Car | $20 + Standard Tow* |
Remove Drive Shaft | $30 + Standard Tow* |
Replace Tire (standard vehicle or trailer) | $15 + Standard Tow* |
EXTRA FEES | |
No Keys | $35 + Standard Tow* |
Extra Cost (All Accidents) | $35 + Standard Tow* |
Storage Fee | $5 to $20 per day or portion of day for vehicles under 25 feet; $35 per day or portion of day for vehicles over 25 feet (per statute) |
SERVICES NOT LISTED | Heavy-Duty: $150 per hour All Others: $75 per hour |
(2) IN THE WATER shall mean any vehicle in which all four wheels are covered by more than six inches of water. IN THE WATER shall not mean street flooding, water on public streets, city rights-of-ways or drainage ditches of four feet or less in depth.
(B) Wrecker companies will be allowed to charge an additional $5 surcharge per tow. This additional charge is to help offset the additional cost to comply with Tex. Occupations Code § 2303.159(a), which requires the operator of a vehicle storage facility to accept payment by an electronic check, debit card or credit card for any charge associated with delivery or storage of a vehicle.
(C) The city shall review the towing charges on an annual basis and solicit input from all towing companies on rotation.
(1998 Code, § 126-55) (Ord. 03-38, passed 10-15-2003; Ord. 03-49, passed 11-5-2003; Ord. 04-08, passed 4-21-2004; Ord. 04-53, passed 11-3-2004; Ord. 05-45, passed 10-5-2005; Ord. 12-14, passed 5-2-2012; Ord. 16-01, passed 2-17-2016)