The purpose of this chapter is to establish mercantile licensing
for, and rules and regulations associated with, the towing and storage
of motor vehicles from public roadways within the City limits of the
City of Hoboken.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to any entity that
engages in towing and storage of motor vehicles within the City limits
of the City of Hoboken for the benefit of the public.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ABANDONED VEHICLE
A motor vehicle which the owner or operator leaves on a public
roadway and fails to notify the police or does not attempt to repair
and remove the same within a reasonable period of time.
AUTHORIZED AGENT OF THE OWNER
Any individual who is not the owner who provides sufficient
proof of authority, provided by the owner, to represent the owner's
interests with regard to a motor vehicle.
BASIC TOW
The towing of a vehicle at the request of the Hoboken Police
Department or Hoboken Department of Parking and Transportation either
to the towing service's storage site from the point of call or
to City Hall from the storage site.
CITY
The City of Hoboken.
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Department of Parking and Transportation.
DISABLED VEHICLE
Any motor vehicle which is unable to operate under its own
power.
HEAVY-DUTY TOW
The recovery of any motor vehicle over 7,500 pounds'
gross vehicle weight which requires the vehicle to be uprighted or
recovered from either on or off the traveled portion of a public roadway.
HEAVY-DUTY TOWING LIST
The annual rotating list of all heavy-duty towing services
registered with and licensed by the City of Hoboken.
IMPOUNDED VEHICLE
A vehicle which, at the discretion of the Police Department,
is taken into police custody because the operator of the vehicle was
engaged in a violation of the law.
LICENSED TOWING SERVICE
A business engaged in the towing and storing of motor vehicles
within the City of Hoboken which has registered with the City of Hoboken
and been provided a mercantile towing license by the City Council.
LICENSEE
A towing service which has been provided a municipal towing
license by the City of Hoboken.
LIGHT-DUTY TOW
The recovery of all vehicles 7,500 pounds' gross vehicle
weight or less.
MOTOR VEHICLE
All vehicles propelled otherwise than by muscular power,
including trailers and recreational campers, excepting such vehicles
as run only upon rails or tracks and motorized bicycles.
OWNER
The registered title holder of a motor vehicle.
STORAGE RATES
The fees charged for the storage of vehicles, assessed as
required in this chapter.
TOWING LIST
The annual rotating list of all towing services registered
with and licensed by the City of Hoboken.
TOWING RATES
The fees charged by the towing service for recovery of a
motor vehicle from the initial site to the storage site or from the
storage site to City Hall.
TOWING SERVICE
A business engaged in the towing and storing of motor vehicles.
When used herein without referring to heavy duty or light duty, the
term shall include both types.
TOWING VEHICLE
A motor vehicle employed by a towing service for the purpose
of towing, transporting, conveying or removing motor vehicles from
public roadways.
No towing license shall be transferred from the entity or individual
named on the initial application except upon proper application to
the Director and prior written approval of the Director. Transfers
shall only be considered for approval upon death of an individual
licensee or upon sale of 50% or more of a business licensee.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the Department
of Parking and Transportation and the Hoboken Police Department.