Chapter 5.23 — TOWING SERVICES

All vehicle towing operators under contract to, or otherwise employed by, the City of San Marcos and/or San Diego County Sheriff's Department to perform towing services within the City of San Marcos shall continuously maintain, within the City limits, a legally permitted vehicle impound yard ("yard") conforming to all applicable State, local and contract requirements. Notwithstanding such requirements, all yards shall, at a minimum, be available for the operator's exclusive use and shall be sufficiently sized to hold all vehicles stored as a result of the operator's public contract within a securely fenced, completely screened perimeter.

For purposes of ensuring an adequate pool of qualified bidders on public towing services contracts, the provisions of Section 5.23.010 shall not apply during periods in which no more than one towing firm maintains a legally permitted vehicle storage yard within the City limits. In such event, companies having a legal yard within a five mile radius of the City limits shall be authorized to bid on City and/or Sheriff's Department towing contracts. This radius may be increased by the City Manager or his/her designee, as necessary, to ensure a minimum qualified bidders pool of at least two towing firms at all times.

(Ord. No. 99-1065, 8-22-99)