[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Weymouth 9-5-1990 by Ord. No. 307-90. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Mercantile licensing — See Ch. 169.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
TOWER(S)
Any towing firm, individual or company, who is in the business of towing vehicles from private property in an agreement or contract with the owner or operator of a private lot, facility or property. This definition does not include towers who tow vehicles at the request of the vehicles owner, such as a service station, garage or other like tower.
A. 
All private towers shall be required to maintain a storage lot or facility for all vehicles towed, which shall be located within seven miles of the boundaries of Weymouth Township.
B. 
Each tower shall maintain at the storage facility:
(1) 
A log or entry book for recording each vehicle being towed.
(2) 
A copy of each contract authorizing towing services.
(3) 
A copy of the towed vehicle report.
C. 
Each storage facility shall be staffed by a responsible person, 24 hours every day, while vehicles are being stored, or have a responsible person on call.
D. 
Each tower shall be responsible for towing damages while providing towing services.
E. 
After a vehicle has been stored at a towing storage facility for a period of seven days, the tower may tow the vehicle to another facility in Atlantic County, provided that the Weymouth Township Clerk has been notified as to the date and time of the removal, and to what location the vehicle is being moved.
F. 
It shall be the responsibility of the tower after at least 48 hours from the time that a vehicle has been impounded to send a written request to the Division of Motor Vehicles in the state where the vehicle is registered for a certified copy of the registration for the motor vehicle which has been towed.
G. 
Within 48 hours after this information has been received from the Division of Motor Vehicles, it is the responsibility of the tower to notify the vehicle's owner of the circumstances surrounding the towing and the charges and fees incurred. The fee for the inquiry to the Division of Motor Vehicles may be added to the fees and charges already outstanding for the initial towing and storage.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 214-3, Display of license; presentation; insurance requirements, was repealed 5-19-2021 by Ord. No. 576-2021.
A. 
Warning signs shall be sized in accordance with the following:
(1) 
The size of warning signs shall be a minimum two feet by three feet and six square feet in area, and a maximum three feet by five feet, and 15 square feet in area.
B. 
Warning signs shall be conspicuously located, to be visible to any entrance to any parking lot, and shall contain the following information:
(1) 
Name of the tower or towing firm.
(2) 
The twenty-four-hour monitored telephone number.
(3) 
Address or location of the storage lot or facility.
(4) 
The words "UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED".
(5) 
The towing fee which will be charged to the owner of the towed vehicle.
C. 
A minimum of two signs, as herein described, shall be provided in each private parking lot from which towing will be done.
A. 
Each vehicle to be towed must be inspected by the tower prior to towing for existing damage and a towed vehicle report filled out before the vehicle is removed from its place. The report shall describe the existing damage to the vehicle and shall be kept at the towing storage facility for inspection by any interested party.
B. 
After a vehicle has been hooked and lifted but before it has been removed from its original place, a report shall be made with the Weymouth Township Clerk and the New Jersey State Police by the tower. The report shall contain the following information:
(1) 
The make, year and color of the vehicle.
(2) 
The registration number.
(3) 
The exact address of the facility to which the vehicle is being towed.
(4) 
A statement as to why the vehicle is being towed.
(5) 
Name of the tow truck operator and the tower.
A. 
If the vehicle has not been lifted prior to the owner's return to the lot, whether it is hooked-up or not, it is to be released by the tower at no charge.
B. 
If the vehicle has been lifted but not removed from the lot prior to the owner's return to the lot, a fee of not more than 50% of the authorized towing service fee, as indicated on the warning signs for the lot, may be imposed for the release of said vehicle.
C. 
Any vehicle which has been towed from the parking lot, regardless of how far, before the owner's arrival may be assessed the full amount of the authorized towing fee.
D. 
The maximum fee which can be charged for the towing of any vehicle from private property by a tower shall be as follows:
(1) 
For cars, vans, other passenger vehicles, including pickup trucks, and other light weight trucks, having a gross vehicle weight of 6,000 pounds, the maximum allowable shall be $50.
(2) 
For trucks, mobile homes, and other vehicles greater than 6,000 pounds, the maximum allowable shall be $100.
E. 
Storage charges. There shall be a maximum charge for the storage of towed vehicles after the 24 hours of $8 per day, up to and including the first 14 days. From the eleventh day and until release, there shall be a maximum charge of $2 per day.
A. 
No vehicle shall be released from the storage facility without the tower first obtaining proper identification from the person claiming the towed vehicle.
B. 
A receipt for the towing service shall be provided, which shall show the following:
(1) 
Towing service name, address and telephone number.
(2) 
Signature of the agent releasing the vehicle.
(3) 
Signature of the person claiming the vehicle.
(4) 
All fees and charges.
C. 
If a vehicle is towed in violation of any section of this chapter, the vehicle is to be released at no cost for towing or storage.
A. 
All tow trucks shall have the name of the registered owner, address and telephone number painted or permanently attached to both sides of the vehicle.
B. 
All tow trucks shall be equipped with a rotary or flashing amber light, approved type fire extinguishers and road flares.
The license fees are as follows:
A. 
Licensed towing company/operator: $100.
B. 
Licensed storage facility within Weymouth Township: $100.
[Amended 6-19-1996 by Ord. No. 344-96; 5-19-2021 by Ord. No. 576-2021]
When a violation of this chapter occurs, the violator may be fined according to the penalties set forth in this chapter.
A. 
Failure of any person, company, corporation or organization to comply with the requirements of this chapter shall, upon conviction in Intermunicipal Court of Weymouth, Estell Manor and Corbin City, be punished as provided by Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article III, General Penalty. Each day's failure to comply with these provisions shall constitute a separate violation.