Chapter 5-118
TOW TRUCKS
Sections:
5-118-020 Identification—Equipment—Insurance.
5-118-010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
“Tow truck” means every truck designed or altered and equipped for and used to push, tow or draw disabled vehicles by means of a crane, hoist, towbar, towline or auxiliary axle, and to render assistance to disabled vehicles. (Ord. 2125 (part), 1978)
5-118-020 Identification—Equipment—Insurance.
A. Every tow truck, except those owned by governmental agencies, shall have displayed on each side thereof, a sign with letters not less than two inches in height, contrasting in color to that of the background, stating the name, address and telephone number of the owner or operator thereof.
B. Every tow truck shall be equipped with:
1. One or more brooms and shovels;
2. One or more trash cans at least eighteen (18) inches in height;
3. One fire extinguisher of the dry chemical or carbon dioxide type with an aggregate rating of at least 4-B, C units, and bearing the approval of a laboratory qualified by the division of fire prevention for this purpose,
C. Every owner or operator and driver of a tow truck shall remove, or cause to be removed, all glass and debris deposited upon any street or highway by the disabled vehicle being serviced, and shall in addition, spread dirt or sand upon that portion of any street or highway where oil or grease has been deposited by the disabled vehicle being serviced.
D. Every tow truck operator shall in addition provide an indemnity bond or insurance policy which shall indemnify or insure the tow truck operator for his liability for loss or damage to any disabled or damaged vehicle towed or stored by the tow truck operator in an amount not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for any one accident or claim. Any such bond, or policy, shall be issued only by a bonding or insuring firm properly qualified to do business as such in the state of Illinois, and a certificate of such bond or policy shall be carried in the cab of each tow truck. (Ord. 2125 (part), 1978)
5-118-030 License.
It is unlawful for the owner of a tow truck to operate same, or permit same to be operated, or for any person to drive a tow truck on the public ways unless such tow truck is licensed as hereinafter provided. (Ord. 2125 (part), 1978)
5-118-040 Application.
Application for a license shall be made to the clerk upon payment to the clerk of the fee as set forth in Section 5-118-060. Applications for a license to conduct such business as set out in this chapter shall be made by the owner and operator upon forms furnished by the clerk and shall state the address from which said tow truck is to be operated from. (Ord. 2128 A (part), 1978)
5-118-050 Register.
It shall be the duty of the clerk to keep a register of the names of persons to whom such license is granted or transferred, the number of the license and the description of the tow truck license. (Ord. 2125 (part), 1978)
5-118-060 Fee.
Each person who shall operate a tow truck shall pay an annual fee based on the number of employees as shown in Section 5-02-160 of this code. Such fee shall be in addition to any other vehicle fees now required by the provisions of this code. (Ord. 3221 § 32, 2009; Ord. 2128 A (part), 1978)
5-118-070 Location.
Any tow truck operated from a residential district identified by the zoning ordinance of the city, must comply with provisions of said ordinance, specifically Article VIII, Accessory Uses and Home Occupations, and in no event shall said operation include the utilization of premises within a residential district for any activity associated with the use of said tow truck. Also, the use of said tow truck must comply with all provisions of said zoning ordinance for other than residential districts. (Ord. 2125 (part), 1978)
5-118-080 Violation—Penalty.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter, shall on conviction of said violation, be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200.00). If any such person, firm or corporation is convicted for a second offense in violation of this chapter, they shall be subject to imprisonment in the county jail for a period not in excess of six months or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both. (Ord. 2125 (part), 1978)