CHAPTER 343
Licensing and Regulation of Tow Trucks

343.01   Definitions.

343.02   License required.

343.03   License application; fees.

343.04   License issuance; term; assignment or transfer.

343.05   Denial, suspension or revocation of license.

343.06   Appeals.

343.07   Liability insurance required.

343.08   Tow truck identification.

343.09   Responding to the scene of an accident.

343.10   Transport sheet required.

343.11   Records.

343.99   Penalty.

CROSS REFERENCES

         Impounding of vehicles - see TRAF. 303.08

   Tow-away zones - see TRAF. 351.22

343.01 DEFINITIONS.

   As used in this chapter:

   (a)   "Driver" or "operator " means a person who drives or is in actual physical control of a tow truck on a public street or public right of way in the City.

   (b)   "Person" means a natural person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation.

   (c)   "Tow truck" means a truck or any other vehicle adapted or used for the purpose of towing, winching or otherwise removing disabled motor vehicles.

   (d)   "Tow truck owner" means a person engaged in the business of offering towing services for compensation and includes a lessee in operation of a tow truck.

   (e)   "Towing" means the act of pulling or dragging a vehicle behind the tow truck which is doing such pulling or dragging. "Towing" includes flat bed towing. The towed vehicle can be self-supporting, carried on a dolly-type platform or supported on any other item necessary to facilitate such towing.

      (Ord. 88-139. Passed 3-16-88.)

343.02 LICENSE REQUIRED.

   (a)   No owner of a tow truck shall permit such tow truck to be used for the purpose of towing in the City unless a valid tow truck owner's license, obtained pursuant to this chapter, has been issued and is in force for that tow truck.

   (b)   This section does not apply when the property being towed is owned by the person doing the towing and is being transported for recreation, sport or show, or when the property being towed has been picked up outside the City and is either in the process of being delivered to a location in the City, or is being towed through the City to be delivered elsewhere.

   (c)   Evidence of the ownership of a vehicle being towed shall be presented to a police officer or inspector upon demand and shall consist of either a certificate of title or a bill of sale for the vehicle.

(Ord. 88-139. Passed 3-16-88.)

343.03 LICENSE APPLICATION; FEES.

   (a)   An application for the license required by Section 343.02 shall be made in person at the office of the Director of Finance on forms provided and such pertinent information as the Director may deem necessary shall be given under oath. It shall be mandatory rejection of such application or revocation of an issued license if the required application information is misrepresented or untrue.

   (b)   Each application for such license shall be accompanied by a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00). License renewals shall be at the per year fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for the original license and ten dollars ($10.00) for each license thereafter, if a person licenses more than one vehicle. Each application for the replacement of a lost, stolen or missing license shall be accompanied by ten dollars ($10.00). (Ord. 88-139. Passed 3-16-88.)

343.04 LICENSE ISSUANCE; TERM; ASSIGNMENT OR TRANSFER.

   (a)   Issuance. Upon approval of the application provided for in Section 343.02, the Director of Finance shall issue the license and, as evidence thereof, a tag bearing the number of the license. The tag shall be of a size and of an annual contrasting color as determined by the Director. The tag shall be permanently fixed to the front bumper of the licensed tow truck.

   (b)   Term. All licenses issued pursuant to Section 343.02 shall be issued for a period of one year commencing on the date of issuance unless revoked by the Director.

   (c)   Assignment or Transfer. No license issued pursuant to subsection (a) hereof shall be assigned or transferred to any other tow truck.

(Ord. 88-139. Passed 3-16-88.)