Chapter 5.76 TOW TRUCK OPERATORS

Chapter 5.76
TOW TRUCK OPERATORS

Sections:

5.76.010 State statutes adopted.

RCW 46.55.010 through 46.55.240 pertaining to tow truck operators are adopted. These provisions incorporate regulations governing the registration of tow truck operators, impounding of unauthorized vehicles, redemption rights and hearing procedures, and records, inspections and enforcement, and junk vehicle disposition. (Ord. 1798 § 3, 1993).

5.76.020 Business license applicable.

No special license from the city is required; however, the general provisions (Chapter 5.02 EMC) of this title are applicable. (Ord. 1798 § 3, 1993).

5.76.030 Rotation list requirements.

The city utilizes a rotation list of qualified tow truck operators to perform services of public impound at the request of the police department. Due to the special needs for service availability and geographic area frequently responded to by public safety services and mutual aid agencies, the following requirements are established:

A. In addition to application requirements specified in the RCW statute references adopted above, the tow truck operator shall submit to the police chief the prior criminal convictions of applicant and applicant’s drivers, excluding minor traffic violations;

B. Be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and advise the police department when unavailable due to other service calls;

C. Maintain and use storage facilities inside a secure building for all cars held for evidence or involving a fatality. Operators shall maintain and use storage facilities inside a sight-obscuring fence, capable of being locked, for all wrecked, impounded, or abandoned vehicles. The fence shall meet the requirements of the building code adopted by the city and interpreted by the building official;

D. Maintain at least three vehicles for hauling vehicles and other debris from an impound scene, two of which must be licensed tow trucks;

E. Licensed tow truck vehicles shall meet the following vehicle requirements:

1. Be equipped with dual tires or have a comparable capacity single tire (balloon type), dual booms, and dual winches with at least a six-ton capacity (manufacturer’s rating). Winches are to be of a type that may be operated independently or jointly, and each must contain a minimum of 100 feet of cable of a continuous length per drum (three-eighths-inch minimum),

2. Comply with all legal light requirements and, in addition, shall have mounted thereon a revolving red light capable of 360-degree visibility. This revolving red light will be used only at accidents or emergency scenes,

3. Carry a portable tail and stop lamp bracket with an extension cord capable of being mounted on the rear of a damaged or disabled vehicle,

4. Carry a broom, shovel, flags and flares, hydraulic jack, a standard 24-unit first aid kit, one five-pound fire extinguisher, two pinch bars which shall be four feet and six feet in length, and two snatch blocks or equivalent of sufficient strength to carry any strain capable of being applied by the wrecker when required. Each tow truck will have an acetylene torch kit available for use. This kit need not be affixed to the vehicle,

5. Carry a portable dolly for hauling vehicles that are not towable,

6. Be maintained in good mechanical condition and be presentable at all times. (Ord. 1798 § 3, 1993).