[Ord. No. 2017-60]
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:48-2.49 to 40A:48-2.51, 40A:48-2.54 and the Rules of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the New Jersey Department of Public Safety, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.1 et seq., as such laws and rules may be amended from time to time, the purposes of this chapter are as follows:
a. 
To establish a uniform policy for the handling of certain motor vehicles towed and/or stored in Princeton by towers on the official tower list (OTL) pursuant to requests of the police department.
b. 
To assure that in the interest of public safety, the public receives the best possible service and that only qualified tow truck owners/operators will be included on the OTL.
c. 
To assure proper storage of vehicles for the purpose of investigation, impoundment, and release of such vehicles to the proper owner, agent or proper authority.
d. 
To establish a requirement and procedure for licensing of individuals and entities who desire to be included on the OTL.
e. 
To establish maximum fees for towing and storage service.
[Ord. No. 2017-60]
This chapter shall apply to all motor vehicle towing and storage operations within Princeton, that occur at the initiation of the Princeton police department. Nothing herein limits the right of the owner or operator of a motor vehicle to request or summon a tow operator of his or her own choosing or a tow operator from another municipality, unless a police officer at the scene determines that the operator to be summoned cannot arrive at the scene within the time limit specified in section 11A-6(h), or does not have the proper equipment to clear the scene, pursuant to section 11A-15, and the safety of persons or motorists may be jeopardized thereby.
[Ord. No. 2017-60]
When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated; additional terms and definitions applicable to towing and storage are set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.1 et seq., promulgated by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs:
BASIC TOW
means towing and ancillary services including the following: arriving at the site from which a motor vehicle will be towed; 15 minutes waiting time; hooking a motor vehicle to, or loading a motor vehicle onto, a tow truck; transporting a motor vehicle to a storage facility; unhooking or unloading a motor vehicle from the tow truck; and situating the motor vehicle in the space in which it will be stored. Basic tow also includes issuing documents for the release of a motor vehicle to its owner or other person authorized to take the motor vehicle; issuing an itemized bill; three trips to the motor vehicle in storage, which, if applicable, include making a vehicle available to an insurance appraiser or adjuster issuing documents for the release of a motor vehicle to its owner or other person authorized to take the motor vehicle; and retrieving a motor vehicle from storage during the hours in which the storage facility is open.
CHIEF OF POLICE
means the head of the Princeton Police Department or designee.
DECOUPLING
means the release of a motor vehicle to its owner or operator when the motor vehicle has been, or is about to be, hooked to or lifted by a tow truck but prior to the motor vehicle actually having been moved or removed from the property.
OFFICIAL TOWER LIST, also known as the "OTL"
means list to be maintained by the police department containing the names of those towers licensed by Princeton who have qualified for inclusion on that list in order to respond to calls for the towing of vehicles initiated by the police department.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
means the body created by section 2-114 of the "Code of the Township of Princeton, New Jersey (1968)".
SECURE STORAGE FACILITY
means a storage facility that is either completely indoors or is surrounded by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier that is at least six feet in height and is lighted from dusk to dawn.
SERVICE FEE
means the fee charged by a tower for the performance of such services as a motor vehicle jump start, out of fuel, change tire, or motor vehicle lockout. The term service fee does not include any fees for parts or fuel, which shall be charged separately, and is only applicable in circumstances where no tow is being performed.
SITE CLEAN-UP
means the use of absorbents to soak up any liquids from a motor vehicle at the site from which the motor vehicle will be towed.
TOW VEHICLE or TOW TRUCK
means those vehicles equipped with a boom or booms, winches, slings, tilt beds, wheel lifts or under-reach equipment specifically designed by their manufacturer for the removal or transport of motor vehicles, and any other vehicle driven by mechanical power, including flatbed vehicles, employed for the purpose of towing, transporting, conveying and/or removing motor vehicles, which are unable to be and actually are not operated under their own power, from one place to another for which a charge or fee is exacted.
TOWER, TOW TRUCK OPERATOR or TOW OPERATOR
means a person engaged in the business of or offering the services of a tow vehicle or tow truck and storage services.
WINCHING
means the process of moving a motor vehicle by the use of chains, nylon slings or additional lengths of winch cable from a position that is not accessible for direct hook up for towing of the motor vehicle. The term winching includes recovering a motor vehicle that is not on the road and righting a motor vehicle that is on its side or upside down, but does not include pulling a motor vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck.
[Ord. No. 2017-60]
For purposes of the provision of towing services, Princeton shall not be divided into zones or districts.
[Ord. No. 2017-60]
Copies of this chapter and the fee schedules of licensed towers are available to the public during normal business hours at the office of the municipal clerk.