For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CITY. The City of Willis, Texas.
CONSENT TOW. Any tow of a motor vehicle in which the tow truck is summoned by the owner or operator of the vehicle, or by the person who has possession, custody, or control of the vehicle. The term does not include an incident management tow or a private property tow.
HEAVY-DUTY TOW TRUCK. A tow truck having a chassis rated at five tons or greater by the vehicle manufacturer and a winch capable of lifting a minimum of 30,000 pounds as rated by the winch manufacturer. Except where a distinction is made, the term TOW TRUCK includes HEAVY-DUTY TOW TRUCK.
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TOW. Any tow of a vehicle in which the tow truck is summoned to the scene of a traffic accident or to an incident, including the removal of a vehicle, commercial cargo, and commercial debris from an accident or incident scene.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Any motorized vehicle subject to registration pursuant to the Texas Certificate of Title Act.
NON-CONSENT TOWS. Any tow of a motor vehicle that is not a consent tow, including an incident management tow or private property tow. Examples include, but are not limited to, vehicles involved in traffic crashes, traffic hazards, arrests, vehicles of evidentiary value, and abandoned vehicles on public or private property.
OWNER. Any person who holds the legal title to a motor vehicle, or has the legal right of possession of a motor vehicle, or legal right of control of a motor vehicle, or any driver who reasonably appears to have authority to operate the vehicle. This does not include any person who has gained possession of a motor vehicle only as a result of tow truck services performed.
PERMIT. Authorization granted by the Police Chief for a tow truck to be used for non-consent tows on the city permit list, or a custodial arrest in the city.
PERMIT HOLDER. Any person, partnership, corporation or other enterprise which has a valid tow truck permit issued by the city. This term shall be inclusive of the agents of any such person, partnership, corporation, or other enterprise.
POLICE CHIEF. The Police Chief of the city, or the person designated by the Police Chief to act for the Police Chief for the purposes of this chapter.
PRIVATE PROPERTY TOW. Any tow of a vehicle authorized by a parking facility owner without the consent of the owner or operator of the vehicle.
TOW TRUCK. A motor vehicle, including a wrecker, equipped with a mechanical device used to tow, winch, or otherwise move another motor vehicle.
TOW TRUCK MANAGEMENT APP. The police department’s approved software application used for communications with permit holders. It is used by officers to dispatch tow trucks, by the tow truck drivers to respond to dispatches, and by all authorized persons to document various information regarding a tow.
(Ord. 17-0822, passed 8-22-2017; Ord. 21-0921, passed 9-21-2021)