Arvin Municipal Code Ch. 5.32 Public Dispatched Tow Vehicles

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this chapter as follows:

A. "Tow truck" means a motor vehicle which has been altered, designed or equipped for and exclusively used in the business of towing vehicles by means of a crane, tow bar, towline, or dolly, or is otherwise exclusively used to render assistance to other vehicles.

B. "Towing service" means providing a tow truck in response to a police dispatch in police emergency situations or in response to orders or requests for towing service by members of the police department pursuant to the provisions of law.

(Ord. 239 §1, 1990).

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a fair and impartial means of distributing police emergency requests for towing services among qualified firms, and to insure that such service is prompt, in the public interest, and efficient for police operations requiring removal of vehicles from public streets. It is not the purpose to regulate tow trucks or towing services other than those dispatched by the police in emergency situations.

(Ord. 239 §2, 1990).

In order to be eligible to receive city referrals or assignments, a towing service shall first have obtained a referral service permit. No person shall operate a towing service unless such person has a valid permit obtained pursuant to the terms of this chapter. A permit issued hereunder is in addition to any business license which such business must possess under any other law or ordinance.

(Ord. 239 §3, 1990).

Permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid until revoked as provided herein.

(Ord. 239 §4, 1990).

The city council shall adopt, by resolution, the procedures for obtaining a towing service permit and the rules and regulations governing such towing service permittees.

(Ord. 239 §5, 1990).

Each permit issued pursuant to this chapter is personal to the permittee and is nontransferable and any sale, transfer, assignment, lease or sublease of a tow truck or towing service shall void the permit issued hereunder.

(Ord. 239 §6, 1990).