Hemet Municipal Code Art. VII Recreational Vehicles

The purpose of this article is to establish a rotational towing program specifically for the towing, storage, and ultimate dismantling or disposal of abandoned recreational vehicles (RVs) and motorhomes within the city. The city council declares the proliferation of abandoned, dismantled, and inoperable RVs and motorhomes to be public nuisances that require abatement through a rotational towing program. This program is intended to ensure the timely removal of abandoned RVs/motorhomes, provide secure storage pending lien sale or abatement proceedings, and ensure proper dismantling or demolition in compliance with state law and environmental regulations.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)

For purposes of this article, the following terms, phrases, words, and derivations shall have the meaning given in this section:

Abandoned RV or motorhome means any recreational vehicle or motorhome that has been determined by the police department or code enforcement to be abandoned, inoperable, or dismantled, pursuant to California Vehicle Code §§ 22660—22669 and applicable city ordinances.

City means the City of Hemet.

Police chief means the Chief of Police of the Hemet Police Department or designee.

Dismantler means a towing provider properly licensed under California Vehicle Code § 11550 et seq. to dismantle or demolish vehicles.

Primary storage yard means a securely fenced and enclosed yard, located within city-approved zip codes, of sufficient size to accommodate large RVs/motorhomes pending lien sale or dismantling.

Towing provider means a towing company, including its owners, managers, or employees, that participates in the abandoned RV rotation list.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)

(a) Objective criteria. The police chief shall establish and maintain written, objective eligibility criteria for towing providers seeking to participate in the city's abandoned RV/motorhome tow rotation program. The criteria shall, at a minimum, include the requirements set forth in section 78-304 and may address licensing, equipment, and experience with oversized vehicles, secure storage yard location and capacity, environmental compliance, insurance, response-time capability, data/reporting, and rate schedules consistent with city council adopted fees.

(b) Publication and amendments. The police chief shall make the objective criteria and any amendments available for public inspection at the police department.

(c) Application. A towing provider may apply at any time on forms approved by the police chief and shall submit documentation demonstrating compliance with the objective criteria. The police department shall review applications for completeness and may request additional information limited to the published criteria.

(d) Determination; ministerial approval. If the police chief determines, based on the submitted documentation, that an applicant meets all objective criteria, the police chief shall issue a written finding to that effect and forward it to the city manager. Upon receipt of such finding, the city manager is authorized and directed to approve the application and execute a one-year service agreement consistent with this article.

(e) Denial; opportunity to cure. If the police chief determines an applicant does not meet the objective criteria, the city shall issue a written notice identifying the specific unmet criteria. The applicant may resubmit at any time with supplemental documentation addressing the identified deficiencies.

(f) Addition to rotation list. Upon city manager approval and execution of the service agreement, the towing provider shall be added to the abandoned RV/motorhome tow rotation list and shall be eligible to receive calls.

(g) No waiver. Neither the police chief nor the city manager may waive or modify the objective criteria for any individual applicant. All applicants shall be evaluated solely against the published criteria.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)

All towing providers participating in the abandoned RV/motorhome rotation program must:

(1) Maintain all licensing required under the California Vehicle Code, including tow truck driver certificates.

(2) Provide proof of environmental compliance for the disposal of fluids, batteries, refrigerants, and other hazardous wastes generated by RV dismantling.

(3) Maintain proper insurance, including garage keeper's liability and environmental liability coverage.

(4) Provide a secure storage yard located within designated zip codes and capable of storing multiple large RVs.

(5) Respond within 45 minutes of dispatch for abandoned RV/motorhome calls.

(6) Agree not to release, lien, sell, or dismantle a vehicle without city authorization and DMV-compliant notice procedures.

(7) Enter into a one-year service agreement with the city, as approved by the city manager.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)

(a) The police chief shall establish and maintain an abandoned RV/motorhome tow rotation list. The abandoned RV/motorhome tow rotation list shall be separate from, and in addition to, any other towing rotation program organized by the city.

(b) Towing providers shall be called in rotation. After completing a service, the provider shall move to the bottom of the list.

(c) If a provider fails to respond, lacks equipment, or is unable to complete a tow, they will be considered to have taken their turn and will be moved to the bottom of the list.

(d) The chief of police may request services from a towing provider who is not on-call if the police chief deems a situation to exist such that additional towing services are necessary to adequately meet the needs of the city or its police department.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)

The city council may adopt by resolution a uniform fee schedule covering towing, storage, and dismantling of abandoned RVs/motorhomes. Towing providers may not charge additional or unauthorized fees to vehicle owners or lienholders.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)

Abandoned RVs and motorhomes are public nuisances and shall be towed and disposed of pursuant to the procedures contained in division 2, article II, of chapter 30 of this Code and consistent with the requirements of California Vehicle Code §§ 22660—22669.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)

Towing providers may be reprimanded, suspended, or terminated from the program for:

(1) Failure to maintain required licenses or insurances.

(2) Failure to respond to abandoned RV/motorhome calls.

(3) Improper or unlawful dismantling/disposal.

(4) Fraud, overcharging, or environmental violations.

Discipline shall be administered by the police chief with notice to the provider.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)

A provider disciplined under this article may appeal to an independent hearing officer pursuant to city code hearing procedures.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)

No person shall provide towing services for the city or its police department without first complying with the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)

Violations of this article constitute a public nuisance and may result in suspension or termination from the rotation list, and any other remedies available under law or equity.

(Ord. No. 2065, § 3, 11-12-25)