Under the option allowed by N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5 et seq., towing
services required by any municipal entity shall be assigned on nonexclusionary,
nondiscriminatory terms to competent service providers on the basis
of rotating assignments.
[Added 1-21-2020 by Ord.
No. 20-05]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CAR
A passenger motor vehicle, including station wagons, hearses,
funeral flower and service vehicles, vehicles for which issuance of
passenger car plates are authorized, taxi cabs, motorcycles, panel
vans, pick-up trucks and similar vehicles having a gross weight not
exceeding 6,999 pounds.
HEAVY-DUTY WRECKER
Any wrecker used exclusively for the removal of trucks, trailers,
tractors, busses, and/or other oversized vehicles.
YARD CHARGE
Any motor vehicle towed and/or stored under the authority
of this chapter may be assessed an additional $50 if the vehicle remains
in storage more than two business days.
The Chief of Police will be responsible for the promulgation of rules and regulations pertaining to the towing and storage of motor vehicles under this chapter and for a fee schedule for services not covered by state mandate. The fees established shall be reasonable and in no case shall exceed the maximum fee permitted by state law. Section
333-8 establishes towing and storage fees, which shall be updated periodically.
Any service provider can be removed from the rotation list for
cause by order of the Chief of Police. Any provider removed by the
Chief shall be entitled to a hearing pertaining to such removal conducted
by the Township Council.
This chapter shall not apply to towing or storage services required
within the jurisdiction of the Garden State Parkway Authority, and
nothing contained herein is intended to alter, modify or supersede
such regulations.
Nothing in this chapter shall preclude a police supervisor from
bypassing the rotation list to secure heavy equipment towing services
as extraordinary circumstances may require.
[Amended 5-19-2003 by Ord. No. 03-16; 6-18-2007 by Ord. No. 07-11; 1-17-2012 by Ord, No. 12-01; 1-21-2020 by Ord. No. 20-05]
A. Authority. N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.49, Operators engaged in removal of motor
vehicles; regulations by municipalities.
(1) Towing (vehicles other than commercial vehicles):
(a)
Days 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (except New
Jersey state holidays):
[1]
First mile or less: $120.
[2]
Each additional mile: $6.
(b)
Nights, weekends and holidays:
[1]
First mile or less: $130.
[2]
Each additional mile: $6.
(c)
Flatbed truck, all hours:
[1]
First mile or less: $130.
[2]
Each additional mile: $6.
(d)
Fee for towing of Police Department vehicles shall not exceed:
$50.
(e)
Motorcycle, street bike, quad: $175, (plus $5 per mile or fraction
thereof).
(2) Towing charge (commercial vehicles):
(a)
Class I vehicle, up to 6,999 pounds: $130, (plus $6 per mile
or fraction thereof).
(b)
Class II vehicle, from 7,000 pounds up to 14,999 pounds: $200,
(plus $8 per mile or fraction thereof).
(c)
Class III vehicle, 15,000 pounds and up:
[2]
Trucks with trailers: $450 per hour (no mile charge).
(3) Road service, all hours:
(f)
Tarping of vehicle (tarping is covering vehicle from weather):
$50.
(g)
Additional tow vehicle needed: $85 per hour.
(5) Waiting time at scene (per minute): $2.
(6) Winching service:
(b)
In excess of 50 feet (per foot): $2.50.
(8) Absorbent material:
(a)
Application, collection and disposal of absorbent material,
"Speedy Dry," for fuel, oil and anti-freeze spills: $35.
(9) Collection, clean up and disposal of debris on or off of roadway
at scene of call: $35.
(10)
Where the use of special equipment, such as dolly, tilt-bed
truck, front wheel lift snatch blocks, or other special hook-up is
required, the above towing charges may be increased by $35.
(11)
Winching and wrecking charges that are not included in any of
the fee schedules above shall be based on the hourly rate determined
from the current edition of the Chilton's Labor Guide and Parts
Manual.
B. Storage.
(1) Class I and II vehicles: $40 per day.
(2) Class III vehicles: $100 per day.
(3) All vehicles towed by the Township of Clark must be stored within
the city limits at the designated facility, J&E Auto Body. Impound
yard must be fenced in and secured. The Township of Clark will have
full access to impound yard at all times.
C. Administrative fee. Any motor vehicle towed and/or stored under the
authority of this chapter may be assessed an additional $50 if the
vehicle remains in storage more than two business days.
D. Special circumstances. In a case where special circumstances arise
due to the recovery of a vehicle beyond that which is required to
perform a basic tow that requires additional labor, a charge of $75
per half hour will be permitted.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be liable to the penalty stated in Chapter
1, Article
III, General Penalty.