[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Cranbury 9-9-2013 by Ord. No. 08-13-22. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a uniform set of procedures
for administering the issuance, renewal and revocation of all licenses
and permits issued under this chapter in the interest of fair and
equitable treatment of the motoring public and towing operators; to
establish standards for the operation of towing businesses by licensees;
and to set the rates for services performed by licensees.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Material such as sand or "speedy dry" used to collect liquids
such as radiator fluid, oil, gasoline or diesel fuel spills.
A private passenger automobile, station wagon, pickup truck,
motorcycle, moped, ATV, or snowmobile.
Refers to the removal and transportation of an automobile
from a highway, street or other public or private road, or a parking
area, or from a storage facility, and other services normally incident
thereto, but does not include recovery of an automobile from a position
beyond the right-of-way or berm, or from being impaled upon any other
object within the right-of-way or berm.
Removal and/or disposal of any debris left on the roadway
or property as a result of a motor vehicle accident or recovery.
Any other vehicle with a GVW greater than 9,500 pounds which
is not classified as an automobile.
A vehicle used to tow or remove other vehicles via a hydraulic
beam or winch beam, capable of handling passenger cars and small trucks,
such as pickup and small-panel trucks, up to 1 1/2 tons load
capacity.
Driving an unengaged wrecker to and fro on a public street
in a manner primarily calculated to solicit business.
A device towed behind a heavy wrecker containing dual wheels
with a hinged pivot hitch used to replace a tractor connection to
a towed trailer. The wheels of the fifth wheel shall have a tire size
of not less than 10 inches by 20 inches.
A vehicle used to tow or lift and carry other vehicles via
a tilt-body flatbed or wheel lift, capable of handling all types of
passenger cars and small trucks, such as pickup or small-panel trucks,
up to 1 1/2 tons load capacity.
A wrecker of either of the types set forth in the definitions
of "standard wrecker" or "specialized wrecker," designed to be capable
of towing heavy vehicles having a load capacity over 1 1/2 tons.
The entire width between the boundary lines of every way
publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the
public for purposes of vehicular travel.
The load capacity rating which is equal to 1/3 of the total
weight of the vehicle to be towed.
A person or other legal entity engaged in the business of
providing wrecker services and storage services for vehicles towed.
The transportation of a vehicle at the request of the Police
Department via wheel-lift or flatbed carrier.
A Township-licensed wrecker operator who responds to the
scene of a police tow.
A license issued to a tow operator allowing the tow operator
to be placed on the police tow list.
A vehicle, such as a flatbed wrecker or conventional wrecker
that is equipped with a boom, winches, slings, tilt beds, wheel lifts,
or under-reach equipment specially designed by its manufacturer for
the removal and transport of private passenger automobiles and small
trucks up to 1 1/2 tons load capacity.
A business, located in the Township, with a building and
or an enclosed area in which motorcars can be sheltered or stored,
and which owns or operates any three or more tow vehicles as defined
in this section. At a minimum, each business must have at least two
flatbed wreckers and one conventional wrecker in order to be maintained
on the towing list. It is optional for said businesses to have gasoline
available for disabled vehicles.
A list of the licensed towing businesses, maintained by the
Cranbury Township Police Department and used for the purpose of calling
the appropriate towing service for all police needs and for removing
vehicles from accidents where police services are needed or required.
An operation by which a vehicle is moved onto a roadway from
a position off the roadway or other operation in which substantial
work is required to prepare a vehicle for normal towing (i.e., lifting,
dragging, up righting a vehicle etc.).
A permit authorizing the use of a specific tow vehicle.
Whenever a police officer orders the removal of automobiles
from private or public property, the officer shall utilize the rotation
lists established in this chapter unless emergent need to skip the
list is warranted. In the instance the next tower in line is skipped,
the skipped tower will then be placed at the top of the list.
A.
Towing contractors shall submit no later than March 31 each year,
a detailed certification certifying that the towing contractor meets
the requirements of this chapter. Said certification shall be submitted
to the Chief of Police or his designee for his review and approval.
Failure to submit the certification or failure to continue to abide
by the requirements of this chapter shall subject the official tower
to removal from the towing list.
B.
The Township Committee may establish annually, by resolution, a list
of automobile towing contractors and a list of truck towing contractors
to be utilized by the Cranbury Township Police Department on a rotating
basis in compliance with this chapter. An operator may, if qualified,
be on both lists. Such lists shall be utilized by members of the Cranbury
Township Police Department on a nonexclusionary and nondiscriminatory
basis.
All towing service operators on the list shall comply with the
following:
A.
Road service must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Towing services must respond to all service requests made. Service
requests missed by the operator shall be reviewed by the Chief of
Police or his designee and may be construed as a violation of this
chapter.
B.
Towing services must respond within 20 minutes of receipt of the
original phone call request by the Police Department.
C.
Vehicle release must be available from the hours of 8:00 a.m. until
5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on
Saturday. During all other hours and legal holidays, vehicles may
be released at the discretion of the tow contractor. Refer to miscellaneous
service fees.
The following shall serve as a guide for minimum standards as
they apply to tow vehicles and heavy wreckers:
A.
Standards for a tow vehicle, up to one-half-ton capacity, shall be
as follows:
(1)
Dual rear wheels or equivalent.
(2)
A power-takeoff-controlled winch with a minimum cable thickness of
3/8 inch.
(3)
A three-eighths-inch safety chain.
(4)
A gross vehicle weight of not less than 10,000 pounds.
(5)
Origination from a garage equipped with a portable car dolly and
steering lock bar.
(6)
Three-hundred-sixty-degree rotating amber beacon light mounted over
the cab.
(7)
Four double-faced rear flashing amber lights mounted high at maximum
state requirements.
(8)
All lights shall be of such candlepower in intensity as to be visible
from 1/4 mile away or must be equal to the candlepower of the lights
on Township police vehicles.
(9)
Garages must maintain light permits for all wrecker emergency lighting.
B.
Standards for heavy wreckers are as follows:
(1)
Rated by the manufacturer to be capable of towing a vehicle of at
least 80,000 pounds GVWR. The heavy-duty towing operator will be responsible
to show proof of the vehicle's towing capacity during inspection.
(2)
A power-takeoff-controlled winch with a minimum cable thickness of
5/8 inch.
(3)
A one-half-inch safety chain.
(4)
A gross vehicle weight of not less than 32,000 pounds.
(5)
A three-hundred-sixty-degree rotating amber beacon light mounted
on the cab.
(6)
Four double-faced rear flashing amber lights mounted high at maximum
state requirements.
(7)
All lights shall be of such candlepower in intensity as to be visible
from 1/4 mile away and must be equal to the candlepower of the lights
on Township police vehicles.
(8)
Air brakes.
(9)
Connecting air lines for connection with the air compressor and air
brake lines of towed vehicles.
(10)
A brake caging tool.
(11)
Detachable amber flashing lights if needed for rear of towed
vehicles.
C.
All wreckers shall be equipped with the following:
(1)
One large street broom and shovel.
(2)
Safety flares for night work.
(3)
Absorbent material, such as sand or "speedy dry," which is suitable
to collect liquids such as radiator fluid, oil, gasoline or diesel
fuel spills.
(4)
Fire extinguisher (A, B, C type).
(5)
Jumper cables.
(6)
Pry bar, hammer or similar tool.
(7)
Tire-changing equipment.
D.
No towing business on the Township tow list shall operate a flatbed
or conventional wrecker that is more than 20 years old for Township-sanctioned
towing services. No towing business on the Township tow list shall
operate a heavy-duty wrecker that is more than 30 years old for Township-sanctioned
towing services. All towing businesses on the Township tow list will
have a grace period of one year from inception of this chapter to
comply with this requirement.
All equipment must be maintained in good working order and be
available for periodic inspection by a member of the Cranbury Township
Police Department. These inspections will be conducted, at a minimum,
on a yearly basis.
A.
The operator shall employ a sufficient number of employees to comply
with the minimum operator requirements.
B.
No person shall be employed by the operator for this service unless
he has obtained a record check and has been approved by the Chief
of Police or his designee. A conviction of a criminal offense or suspension
of a driver's license within the past year shall be a cause for
disqualification as a driver.
C.
All drivers of the operator shall be over the age of 18 years and
must have a valid New Jersey State driver's license.
D.
The operator shall, at the time of his application, submit to the
Township names, addresses and driver license numbers of all proposed
drivers and employees who will be rendering services on behalf of
the operator. In order to keep information current, the contractor
shall be required to submit any and all changes of drivers to the
Chief of Police or his designee immediately upon the change.
E.
The service, equipment and personnel are subject to periodic inspections
and approval by the Township.
F.
Complaints of any kind relating to service, overcharging, theft of
parts, damage to towed or stored vehicles, discourteous treatment
and the like shall be referred to the Chief of Police or his designee
for investigation. Such complaints may be cause for imposition of
the penalties enumerated under this chapter.
A.
All tow operators shall comply with the following:
(1)
No tow operator's license or wrecker permit shall be issued
pursuant to this chapter until the applicant has deposited with the
Township Clerk a copy of the towing business owner's liability
policy covering the operation of the towing business, the storage
of the motor vehicles, the wreckers and the loss or damage to motor
vehicles or personal property and any personal injury arising out
of the towing business. These policies shall provide coverage in the
minimum amount of $250,000 for any one person injured or killed, $500,000
for injury or death of more than one person arising out of the same
incident and $75,000 for property damage.
(2)
Each wrecker shall comply with the insurance requirements of N.J.S.A.
Title 39.
(3)
Each policy of insurance required under this chapter must contain
an endorsement by the carrier providing 90 days' notice to the
Township of any change of coverage or cancellation of the policy.
Such notice shall be given in writing to both the insured and the
Chief of Police.
(4)
All insurance policies required under this chapter must remain in
full force and effect throughout the license period. If any licensee,
for whatever reason, ceases to have the insurance coverage required
by this chapter, the Chief of Police shall immediately cause that
licensee to be removed from the towing list.
(5)
Each operator shall indemnify and save the Township of Cranbury harmless
from all damages and claims for damages which may be made by any person
for bodily injury or property damages as a result of the operator's
performing pursuant to this chapter.
The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to establish reasonable
rules and regulations for the inspection of the fitness and safety
of the wreckers and their associated equipment. The Chief of Police
or his designee shall have the right at any time to inspect any wrecker
for compliance with the safety requirements of this chapter, the regulations
established under this chapter and the laws of this state or the United
States. If, as a result of any such inspection, it is determined that
the wrecker is not in compliance with any law or regulation, the owner
shall be given a period of five days to correct such violation or
noncompliance, during which time the wrecker shall not be dispatched
on the towing list. If the violation or noncompliance is not corrected
within such five-day period, the permit for that wrecker shall be
suspended.
A.
Charges for the towing, storage and service of disabled or impounded
vehicles shall not exceed the following rates: Fees for towing and
storage of private or commercial passenger vehicles, damaged in an
accident, recovered after being stolen or impounded by police, are
set in accordance with the Vehicle Towing and Storage Act, N.J.S.A.
40:48-2.49.
(1)
The following is the fee schedule for towing and roadside services:
(a)
Any time of day or day of week: $125 per hour/per vehicle.
(b)
A clean up fee of $55/vehicle will apply for clean up at the
collision scene.
(c)
Fee for absorbent material for fluids on the roadways: $20/bag.
(d)
Roadside assists such as jump starting a dead battery, lockouts (etc.) will be charged a fee not to exceed $50 if no tow is required. No flat tires will be fixed on the roadway; the vehicle will have to be towed to the premises as described under Subsection A(1)(a) above, plus local repair fees.
(e)
Tow operators may charge $50 per 1/4 hour for winching fees.
(f)
Gas services shall not be included in this service. Pending
roadway condition and safety concerns, a tow company has no obligation
to perform such a service, but rather tow the vehicle to a safe location
at the above scheduled towing fee.
(2)
The following is the fee schedule for storage services. These fees
shall commence at drop of the vehicle, on the day of the date of the
tow.
(a)
Fee for storage: $30 per day.
(b)
Miscellaneous services:
[1]
Release of vehicle other than normal hours: a flat rate of $30.
[2]
Yard service fee (a one-time fee to cover the cost of handling
the vehicle while in the tow yard): $25.
[3]
Administration fee (a one-time fee for time spent with customers,
insurance companies, police, making copies of files, faxing of sending
e-mails by staff): $25.
[4]
Storage of motorcycles, mopeds, ATVs and snowmobiles: $30 per
day.
[5]
Vehicle preparation before a vehicle can be towed, such as when
vehicles are locked, stuck in gear, or have large parts such as doors,
bumpers, exhaust systems or molding hanging from them, where the labor
extends past 1/4 hour, shall entitle the tow operator to charge a
fee of $50 per 1/4 hour.
[6]
Labor at yard (The garage reserves the right to charge a one-time,
one-hour labor shop fee for any assistance needed by the insurance
adjuster, salvage company or owner of vehicle or any labor involving
the vehicle after the vehicle has been brought to the tow facility):
$89.
(3)
An unusual or unforeseen circumstance which requires a special charge
or additional billing outside the scope of the schedule must be documented
by the towing service and provided to the Chief of Police within 48
hours of the event.
B.
Fees for towing and storage of private passenger vehicles, other than those damaged in an accident or recovered after being stolen, shall be the same as those set forth in Subsection A if the official tower is called to the scene by the Police Department of the Township of Cranbury in accordance with this chapter. Any other towing services to private passenger vehicles not involved in accidents or recovered after being stolen when requested privately by individuals shall be at the rates as agreed to between the individual and the tower.
C.
The following is the fee schedule for heavy-duty towing services:
(1)
Conventional tow (or recovery) 9,500 pounds to 18,000 pounds. Flat
rate to towing service base or destination within Cranbury Township
and/or required recovery time: $175 per hour, per truck.
(2)
Conventional tow (or recovery) 18,001 pounds to 80,000 pounds. Flat
rate to towing service base or destination within Cranbury Township
and/or required recovery time: $475 per hour, per truck.
(3)
Specialized equipment. Forty-eight-foot hydraulic tilt trailer service,
heavy-duty under-reach, box trailer or flatbed trailer or flatbed
trailer with driver: $225 per hour, portal to portal.
(4)
Winching and recovery rates: $450 per hour, portal to portal.
(5)
Tow operators may charge $50 per 1/4 hour for winching fees.
(6)
Extra services for the tow to include the following shall be charged
at $50 per 1/4 hour and are as follows:
(7)
Extra personnel to assist with removing the recovered vehicle and
freight: $80 per hour, per person.
(9)
Every tow operator shall provide the owner or operator of the motor
vehicle being serviced with a business card and a written receipt
of all the charges collected, with an explanation of each such charge.
A.
The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to establish a rotating
system for calling towing services within the Township of Cranbury.
The rotating system shall equitably distribute the calls to the listed
towing businesses. If the Chief of Police shall propose to add any
business, he shall give each licensed towing business within the Township
at least 30 days' notice of such action.
B.
The police will summon a wrecker of the appropriate class, either
tow vehicle or heavy, on a rotating list within the Township.
C.
If it becomes apparent that a licensed towing service cannot handle
a job exigent in nature, or if a separate law enforcement authority
directs, the officer in charge may at his discretion forego the towing
list and summon a towing service with proper equipment. If fees cannot
be agreed upon or negotiated at the scene, the towing service may
be directed, by police, to perform the required services with reasonable
fees to be paid by the owner in accordance with this chapter.
D.
The Chief of Police or designee may institute additional reasonable
rules, regulations, requirements or standards if deemed necessary
and under emergency or exigent circumstances may suspend rotation.
The following shall apply to the conduct and requirements of
towing businesses pursuant to this chapter:
A.
No wrecker of any kind shall engage in cruising.
B.
All valid wreckers shall provide twenty-four-hour-per-day, seven-day-per-week
service.
C.
No person shall solicit or attempt to divert prospective customers
of another garage to any other garage or towing service other than
in accordance with the rotating provisions of this chapter.
D.
No person shall solicit, demand or receive from any person any commission
or fee other than the appropriate fee under this chapter for the transportation
or storage of any vehicle.
E.
Any towing business called must confirm that it is responding within
five minutes of the call or its turn will be forfeited on the rotational
list.
F.
Any towing business which does not answer its phone within 10 rings,
or which is unable to respond for any reason, shall forfeit its turn
on the rotation list.
G.
A towing business on the Township tow list that confirms a response
to a service call, but never arrives at the call more than one time
in a calendar month, shall be subject to the penalties set forth in
this chapter.
H.
Towing businesses shall be open or available for a customer's
pickup daily, other than legal holidays, between the hours of 8:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and between the hours of
9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Saturday.
I.
Response time to the scene of a tow must be within 20 minutes of
the time of confirmation of the assignment or else the towing business
forfeits its turn.
J.
A towing business must have space available within the boundaries
of Cranbury Township for properly accommodating and protecting all
vehicles towed. Towed vehicles will not be stored or allowed to remain
on or along any property which is not zoned for such storage or on
public property.
K.
Police-impounded vehicles shall be stored at the business premises
of the towing operator within the boundaries of the Township and shall
not be released without a properly signed release form. Vehicles may,
in certain circumstances, be towed to headquarters for investigative
purposes upon the request of a police officer.
L.
Every operator shall keep a log with required details, as determined
by the Chief of Police or designee, of any vehicle towed. All towing-related
documents and receipts shall be available to the police for inspection.
M.
Towing operators shall be responsible for the actions of all employees,
subcontractors, agents and/or assigns.
N.
Towing operators will comply with instructions given by the officer
in charge at the incident scene.
O.
All accumulated released vehicle documents shall be delivered by
each licensed towing business to the police station commander upon
request and should be kept on a month-to-month basis.
P.
No tow vehicle operator shall respond to the scene of an accident
or any scene requiring a police tow except upon notification by police
headquarters.
Q.
All tow vehicle operators shall be required to clean up debris on
the highway or at the scene of an accident and apply sand or absorbent
material to normal radiator fluid, oil, gasoline, or diesel fuel spills
in accordance with state law.
R.
No person owning or operating a tow vehicle or other automobile,
while waiting for employment, shall stand at any public street or
intersection or on any public or private property, other than his
own, without first obtaining the consent of a police officer or the
owner of the property.
S.
No person shall pay any gratuity, tip or emolument to any third person
not involved in the accident or to any police officer for any information
as to the location of any accident or for soliciting the employment
of the licensee's services, nor give any gratuities, fees or
other compensation or gifts to any members of the Police Department.
T.
The towing company making application to tow for the Township shall
submit a list of its employees who will be operating the defined wreckers
providing service. In addition, the towing contractor will be required
to submit photocopies of the driver's licenses of those employees
who will be operating tow vehicles providing service. Those driver's
licenses will be checked periodically by the Chief of Police or his
designee to ensure valid status.
U.
The towing company shall conspicuously post the towing/storage rates
at its business in a location visible to all customers.
V.
All towing businesses which are on the Township tow list must accept
all forms of payment from motorists with the exception of personal
checks.
W.
Once a wrecker is requested from the Township tow list, the service
call shall belong to that wrecker regardless of any other towing business
that may show up at the service call location, unless exigent circumstances
exist as may be determined by conditions at the scene.
X.
Disposition of vehicles towed pursuant to this chapter shall be in
compliance with state law.
A.
In all of his dealing with the public in connection with the contract,
the operator is expected always to act in a professional manner and
at all times to be courteous and respectful toward members of the
public, as well as representatives of the Township of Cranbury. While
members of the public, especially those whose cars may have been towed
or impounded, may at times resort to strong language, threats and
unbecoming behavior toward the operator, the operator is expected
to exercise restraint and not to respond in kind and thereby reflect
unfavorably on the Township of Cranbury and/or the Cranbury Township
Police Department.
B.
Repeated reports of discourteous behavior by the operator, which
can be substantiated and documented, may be considered by the Township
as sufficient cause for termination of the contract.
A.
Nothing in this chapter shall abrogate or in any way diminish the
rights of the vehicle owner or operator to make his own selection
of tow vehicle, except where police presence is needed, where it presents
a real or immediate hazard to safety or would in any way interfere
with a police investigation.
B.
Applicable sections of this chapter may in certain circumstances
be superseded by state statute and the New Jersey Administrative Code,
including but not limited to the New Jersey Turnpike Fee Schedule
adopted in N.J.A.C. 19:9-3.1 et seq.
C.
The owner of any vehicle towed shall have the right to remove property
belonging to him or her not pertaining to the vehicle itself, unless
a "police hold" is marked on the towing form.
No impounded vehicle is to be released without proper authorization
from the Cranbury Township Police Department whether verbal or written.
Vehicle release must be available as set forth in this chapter. The
operator may dispose of abandoned vehicles in accordance with the
provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:10A-8 et seq. Titles shall be processed
in accordance with New Jersey laws and regulations.
A.
The Chief of Police or his designee shall have the power to suspend
a towing business license if it is satisfied by clear and convincing
evidence that there has been a violation of this chapter or violations
of the rules promulgated by the State of New Jersey.
B.
Penalties for violations shall be as follows:
(1)
First offense: suspension of the towing license not to exceed 30
days and/or a fine not to exceed $500.
(2)
Second offense: suspension of the towing license not to exceed 90
days and/or a fine not to exceed $1,000.
(3)
Third offense: suspension from the wrecker list for a period not
to exceed one year and/or a fine not to exceed $2,500.
C.
Any suspension will be a suspension of police towing privileges only.
The towing business will remain licensed during the suspension period
and will be bound by the rules and regulations governing licensed
towing business.
D.
A towing operator's license may be revoked and the tow business
removed from the rotational list by resolution of the Township Council,
or by action of the Township Manager if designated as hearing officer
by the Township Council, if its performance is determined to be unreliable
or inadequate after a hearing pursuant to the proper procedures.
E.
A towing business terminated from the tow list shall be considered
unlicensed and must reapply for a license at the conclusion of the
termination period. The terminated towing business will be responsible
for towing rates, storage charges and service fees as set forth in
this section for police-towed vehicles remaining on the lot during
the termination period.
F.
If a towing business is suspended or terminated from the rotational
list, the remaining towing businesses in the Township will be notified
of the suspension and to ascertain if they can cover the vacancy.
The Cranbury Township Police Department is designated to enforce
the provisions of this chapter in accordance with due process law.
In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the Chief of Police
or his designee is hereby authorized to adopt additional reasonable
regulations which are not inconsistent with this chapter. Notwithstanding,
any other tow service not licensed or authorized to tow, repair or
service a disabled vehicle within Cranbury Township and which was
not solicited by the operator of said vehicle will be subject to fines
consistent with local ordinances. Charges shall include but not be
limited to failing to secure a solicitor's permit, with regards
to cruising, and any other violations set forth in this and other
Township ordinances.
The Township Clerk shall make available all fee schedules and
regulations applicable to towing for public inspection during normal
business hours.
Unattended vehicles cannot be towed from private parking lots,
unless:
A.
There is a sign posted at vehicular entrances to the property stating:
(1)
The purpose for which parking is authorized;
(2)
The times when parking is permitted;
(3)
That unauthorized parking is prohibited and unauthorized vehicles
will be towed at the owner's expense;
(4)
The name of and the contact information for the towing company and
the address of the storage facility, which must be secure and located
within a reasonable distance of the property, to which the vehicle
will be towed;
(5)
The charges for the towing and storage and the times during which
the vehicle may be redeemed; and
(6)
Contact information for the Division of Consumer Affairs (1-800-242-5864,
prompt #4).
B.
The property owner and the tow company have a contract for the towing
and the property owner has authorized the towing company to remove
the particular vehicle.
C.
The requirements do not apply to a single-family home or an owner-occupied
multiunit structure, and the signage requirements are different for
a residential community with clearly marked assigned spaces for residents.
D.
The Predatory Towing Prevention Act[1] and this section further prohibit towing companies from
the following:
(1)
Failing to release a vehicle hooked or lifted, but not actually removed
from private property, upon request of the vehicle's owner;
(2)
Paying for information about vehicles parked without authorization;
(3)
Refusing to accept an insurance company's check or a debit card,
charge card, credit card or personal check for towing or storage services,
if the towing company ordinarily accepts such payment at its place
of business.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 56:13-7 et seq.
