The following terms used in this chapter shall
be interpreted as follows:
AUTOMOBILE
A motor vehicle of a private passenger or station-wagon-type
that is owned or leased and is neither used as a public or livery
conveyance for passengers nor rented to others with a driver, and
a motor vehicle with a pickup body, or delivery sedan, a van, or a
panel truck or a camper-type vehicle used for recreational purposes
owned by an individual or by a husband and wife who are residents
of the same household, not customarily used in the occupation, profession
or business of the owner(s).
BASIC TOWING SERVICE
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 incidental 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.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
Any vehicle other than that as defined as an automobile pursuant
to the definition contained in this section.
INSIDE BUILDINGS
A vehicle storage facility that is completely indoors having
one or more openings in the walls, for storage and removal of vehicles,
and that is secured by a locking device on each opening.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
An occurrence in which any vehicle, commercial vehicle or
passenger vehicle comes in contact with any other object for which
any vehicle, commercial vehicle or passenger vehicle must be towed
or removed for placement in a storage facility. This includes all
situations which are accidental as to the owner or operator of the
motor vehicle even if they were caused by the intentional acts of
a perpetrator where the perpetrator was not the owner or operator
of the motor vehicle.
OUTSIDE SECURED
An automobile storage facility that is not indoors and is
secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier that is at least
six feet high. The facility is to be lighted at night.
OUTSIDE UNSECURED
An automobile storage facility that is not indoors and is
not secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier and all other
storage facilities not defined above as inside building or outside
secured.
TOW VEHICLE
Only those vehicles equipped with a boom or booms, winches,
slings, tilt beds, wheel lifts or under-reach equipment specifically
designed by its manufacturer for the removal or transport of motor
vehicles.
To qualify for inclusion on the list of official
towers, applicants must meet the following minimum standards:
A. Minimum vehicle requirements.
(1) Every official tower shall maintain and have available to render
services required by this chapter a minimum of two regular tow vehicles,
one flatbed vehicle and one heavy-duty wrecker.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
(2) Vehicle classes.
(a)
Regular tow vehicles must be equipped with a
boom or winch assembly mounted on the chassis, a dolly assembly, a
tow sling or wheel lift assembly, and at least 100 feet of either
three-eighths-inch or seven-sixteenths-inch cable attached to a motor-driven
winch.
(b)
Flatbed vehicles must be equipped with a winch
or hydraulically operated bed which slides or tilts to accommodate
transporting of vehicles.
(3) Every official tower shall have available a heavy-duty
wrecker, and under reach shall be rated at 35,000 pounds and shall
be capable of towing new-style buses and trucks with fiberglass front
ends.
(4) All equipment shall comply with all state and federal
regulations, and all vehicle operators shall possess a CDL license
for over 26,000 pounds.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
(5) Each applicant shall submit, along with his application,
proof of ownership or lease of the vehicles which will be utilized
to provide services pursuant to this chapter.
B. Minimum equipment requirements.
(1) Every tow vehicle or flatbed vehicle shall be equipped
with the following:
(a)
At least one amber rotating beacon or strobe
light mounted on the highest practical location of the vehicles, visible
from 360° when in use and visible at a minimum distance of 500
feet during daylight hours.
(b)
One snatch block per winch.
(c)
Safety tow lights or magnetic tow lights for
towing vehicles at night, amber colored.
(d)
Extra chains and cable for pulling or securing
a towed vehicle.
(e)
At least one heavy-duty broom, a shovel, a crowbar
or prybar, a set of jumper cables, a flashlight, one two-pound or
larger fire extinguisher of dry chemical type, one dozen flares or
similar warning devices for placement at the scene of an accident
or behind a disabled vehicle, at least 10 pounds of dry sand or a
drying compound for gasoline and oil spilled onto the roadway and
a sufficient quantity and types of tools to enable the tow operator
to perform proper and adequate emergency repair service for the tow.
(2) Every tow vehicle or flatbed vehicle shall comply
with any and all state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances
pertaining to safety, lighting and towing equipment requirements and
shall be subject to inspection by the Chief of Police or his designee
at any time. No changes may be made in said vehicles or equipment
unless prior written approval is obtained from the Village.
(3) Every tow vehicle or flatbed vehicle shall display
the official tower's license and shall have the name of the official
tower displayed on the vehicle in such manner and of such lettering
as conforms to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-46.
C. Minimum personnel requirements. Official towers shall
have available, at all times, a minimum of two persons to provide
the services required by this chapter. All persons employed by official
towers to provide the services required by this chapter shall meet
the following requirements and be subject to the following regulations.
They shall:
(1) Be able to provide minimum road service for disabled
vehicles to include tire changes and jump starts.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
(2) Have a valid driver's license having no restrictions
or conditional endorsements other than a condition requiring the wearing
of eyeglasses.
(3) Be mentally alert and present a neat appearance at
all times.
(4) Obey all traffic laws and regulations.
(5) Be subject to inspection by the Chief of Police of
the Village and shall be approved by the Chief prior to rendering
any services pursuant to this chapter.
(6) Not have been convicted of a crime nor had their driving
privileges suspended or revoked within the past year.
D. Minimum storage requirements.
(1) Every official tower shall maintain an inside building
or outside secured storage area meeting the following requirements:
(a)
The storage area shall be capable of storing
a minimum of 10 passenger vehicles and one tractor and trailer. The
area shall have at least 800 square feet of inside storage facilities
to hold and protect police hold vehicles.
(b)
The location of the storage area shall be within
the limits of the Village and in an area approved for towing by the
Zoning Officer of the Village of Ridgefield Park.
(c)
The storage area shall be fully enclosed by
a sturdy fence having a minimum height of six feet, with at least
one lockable gate for ingress and egress, and shall be lighted from
dusk to dawn.
(d)
The storage area shall be in an area legally
zoned for such use.
(e)
The storage area shall be available 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year and shall be open to the public on weekdays during normal business
hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. The applicant is not required to be open to the public
on Sundays.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
(f)
The official tower shall have an employee on
duty during all hours in which the storage facility is open.
(g)
The official tower shall not charge a release
fee or other charge for releasing vehicles to their owners during
normal business hours.
(h)
The official tower shall have available an area
to store vehicles involved in suspected crimes or criminal activities
as directed by the Chief of Police.
(2) The applicant shall, with his application, submit
proof of ownership or lease of the storage area, if requested.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
(3) The official tower shall be responsible for ensuring
the proper and safe storage of all vehicles towed pursuant to this
chapter. The official tower shall be liable for any damage incurred
by such vehicles while in transit to or while stored in the storage
areas.
No license shall be issued for a tow truck unless
the tow truck business has storage facilities for towed vehicles within
the Village of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, and on premises which
are zoned for this type of business. The licensee shall have an enclosed
storage yard or garage in which vehicles will be stored, and said
enclosure shall have a wall or fence of not less than six feet above
ground level. Land used for storage of vehicles must be in an area
zoned for such use. In addition, it must be in an area reasonably
accessible to the public so that stored automobiles may be claimed.
Visual on-site inspection of the land shall be made before the awarding
of a license by a representative of the Police Department and Building
Department. All of the land proposed to be utilized by the licensee
for storage must be level and clear of all debris and must be clearly
marked.
The applicant shall agree in writing to assume
the defense of and indemnify and hold harmless the Village, its elected
officials, boards, commissions, officers, employees and agents from
all suits, actions, damages or claims to which the Village may be
subjected of any kind and nature whatsoever resulting from, caused
by, arising out of or as a consequence of the provisions of towing,
wrecking, storage and/or emergency services provided at the request
of the Village pursuant to this chapter. Official towers shall enter
into a hold harmless agreement in a form to be prepared by the Village
Attorney prior to being included on the official towers' list.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09; 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
A. Fees for towing and storage of all vehicles damaged in an accident,
disabled on the roadway or recovered after being stolen shall not
exceed those allowable by any and all New Jersey laws governing such
fees.
B. Fees for towing and storage of all vehicles, other than those damaged
in an accident or recovered after being stolen, shall be the same
as those set forth in the Fee Schedule if the official tower is called
to the scene by the Police Department of the Village in accordance
with this chapter. Any other towing services to any vehicle 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.
(1) Fee Schedule for towing services:
Road Service
|
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.
|
$60 (includes up to 2 gallons of gas, jump-start and tire changes);
if tow results, there will be no charge for road service except for
cost of gas supplied
|
Medium-/heavy-duty trucks
|
$175 per hour plus parts
|
Towing, Basic
|
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.
|
$125 (includes first 24 hours of storage)
$6 each additional mile outside of the Village
|
All municipal vehicles
|
$0
|
Tow fee for victims of crimes and investigations as determined
by the Police Department
|
$0
|
Vehicles impounded and held for seizure
|
$0 (if vehicle is subsequently released to owner they will be
charged the tow rate plus 3 days outside storage, storage rate will
continue if owner fails to retrieve vehicle during the first 3 days)
|
Medium duty 10,001 to 16,000 lbs.
|
$250 per hour
|
Heavy duty 16,001 lbs. and above
|
$500 per hour
|
On-hook mileage (medium/heavy duty)
|
$6 per loaded mile
|
Decoupling fee (if tow is not performed)
|
1/2 of basic rate
|
Show up fee (no hook up: follow tow rate once hook up is started)
|
$50
|
Additional tow vehicles
|
At normal tow rate
|
Recovery/Winching (in addition to towing)
|
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.
|
$75
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.: off-road recovery
or uprighting of vehicle
|
$150 per hour
|
Medium duty 10,001 to 16,000 lbs.
|
$350 per hour
|
Heavy duty 16,001 lbs. and above
|
$600 per hour
|
Specialized Recovery Equipment
|
|
Rotator/crane recovery unit
|
$1,200 per hour
|
Tractor with landoll trailer or detach trailer
|
$450 per hour
|
Tractor/transport hauler only
|
$250 per hour
|
Refrigerated trailer with tractor
|
$450 per hour
|
Box trailer with tractor
|
$400 per hour
|
Air cushion unit
|
$1,000 per hour
|
Light tower
|
$250 per hour
|
Pallet jack
|
$200 per hour
|
Rollers
|
$200 flat rate
|
Any other specialized equipment
|
$250 per hour
|
Loader/backhoc/telescopic handler/bulldozer/bobcat/forklift
|
$300 per hour each
|
Dump truck/dump trailer with tractor
|
$350 per hour
|
Roll-off with container
|
$350 per hour plus disposal
|
Recovery supervisor vehicle
|
$100 flat fee
|
Scene safety equipment, communication equipment, traffic management
equipment, etc.
|
$250 per hour each type used
|
Recovery support vehicle/trailer additional recovery equipment
|
$350 per hour
|
Labor
|
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.; accident excessive
cleanup and disposal of debris
|
$75 flat fee (including first bag of speedy dry)
|
Speedy dry (2 or more bags)
|
$30 per bag
|
Extra personnel/manual laborers (on all towing operations)
|
$75 per hour per person
|
Recovery supervisor and/or Level III recovery specialist
|
$225 per hour
|
Certified towing operator
|
$125 per person
|
Storage (per 24-hour period)
|
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.
|
$25 outside
$35 inside
|
Medium duty 10,001 to 16,000 lbs.
|
$45 outside
$90 inside
|
Heavy duty 16,001 lbs. and above:
|
|
Tractor/dump truck/tractor and trailer
|
$125 per unit per day
|
Combo/trailer
|
|
Buses
|
$150 per day
|
Roll-off
|
$125 per day
|
Cargo/accident debris/load storage/vehicle components 10 feet
by 20 feet space
|
$45 per space used per day
|
Rental of any tow company supplied trailer post-incident
|
$500 per day
|
Additional Services/Notes
|
|
Fuel/hazmat/cargo spills cleanup and disposal
|
Time and material
|
Hazmat and trash recovery
|
Surcharged 10%
|
Subcontractor markup
|
10%
|
Administrative charge only after third visit to vehicle (passenger
cars and trucks only)
|
$50
|
Administrative charge only after third visit to vehicle (medium-/heavy-duty
trucks)
|
$200
|
After-hours release
|
$75
|
Notification documentation fee
|
$50
|
Tarping/wrapping vehicle (passenger cars and trucks under 10,000
lbs.)
|
$25 per side window
$40 per front and rear windows
$90 max per vehicle
|
Tarping/wrapping vehicle (passenger cars and trucks under 10,000
lbs.)
|
$250 per truck
|
NOTES:
|
All hourly billable rates will be charged in one-half-hour increments.
|
(2) In the event that the maximum fees allowable are limited by any law
passed by the State of New Jersey, the aforesaid schedules shall be
amended accordingly.
(3) Tow vehicles transporting multiple passenger cars at one time shall
receive the applicable fees for each vehicle transported.
C. The fees set forth in the Fee Schedule for towing rates are the maximum
charges that shall apply to a private passenger cars and trucks for
basic towing services. There shall be no additional charges other
than those provided herein, including but not limited to flat-bedding,
waiting time, minor cleanup and additional labor, when only basic
towing services, as defined, are provided. The official towers, however,
shall be allowed to charge for services other than basic towing services
as defined in this section.