The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter or chapter 9.54, shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in chapter 9.54, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. While not every defined term in chapter 9.54 is used in chapter 10.54, the intent is the two chapters may be read together.
Commercial tow vehicle
Consensual tow
Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Towing
Impound
Nonconsensual tow
Normal business hours or regular business hours
On Scene Release (Curb release)
Private party impound (PPI)
Rotational tow
Rotational tow program
Tow operator or towing operator
Tow service or towing service
Towing or to tow
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-2006; AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 11-18-2014)
A. 
Any person or entity providing towing services of vehicles on private or public property within the municipality is required to have a current tow operator's license from the municipal clerk.
B. 
Any person or entity providing nonconsensual tow services and private party impound (PPI) is required to have a current private party impound (PPI) endorsement from the municipal clerk, in addition to the tow operator's license.
C. 
Requirements for the different types of tow services are:
1. 
Nonconsensual tow and private party impound (PPI) services require a current tow operator license and a PPI endorsement.
2. 
Rotational tow services require a current tow operator license and participation in the rotational tow program administered through the Anchorage Police Department.
3. 
Consensual tow services require a current tow operator license.
D. 
A person providing towing services or private party impound (PPI) without the tow operator license, PPI endorsement, or rotational tow program participation required for the service is subject to a fine as set out in section 10.05.025C and the schedule of mandatory civil fines in section 14.60.030.
E. 
A person providing towing services with an expired tow operator license or providing private party impound (PPI) services with an expired PPI endorsement is subject to the fine set out in section 10.05.025C and the schedule of mandatory civil fines in section 14.60.030.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-2006; AO No. 2014-85, § 1, 8-5-2014; AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 11-18-2014)
A. 
The municipal tow operator license and the private party impound (PPI) endorsement are valid for a maximum of twelve months in a calendar year and regardless of date of issue, expire on December 31.
B. 
The annual nonrefundable municipal license application fee for the municipal tow operator license, with or without the private party impound (PPI) endorsement, includes one towing vehicle and a municipal license sticker is issued for each towing vehicle.
1. 
The fee for the tow operator license without the private party impound (PPI) endorsement is $150.00.
2. 
The additional fee for the municipal private party impound (PPI) endorsement is $50.00.
3. 
The fee for each additional towing vehicle to be operated under a tow operator license, with or without the private party impound (PPI) endorsement, is $20.00 per vehicle.
C. 
Each towing vehicle shall display the municipal license sticker issued for that towing vehicle on the lower left corner of the windshield on the driver's side, showing the municipal logo and year. The municipal license sticker shall be visible at all times. Failure to properly display the current municipal license sticker issued for the towing vehicle is a violation of this chapter subject to penalty under chapter 14.60.
D. 
The fee for replacement stickers is $20.00 each.
(AO No. 2014-85, § 2, 8-5-2014; AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 11-18-2014)
A tow operator licensed under this chapter, and each driver employed or otherwise commercially engaged by the tow operator, shall have and carry at all times an unexpired medical examiner's certificate (State of Alaska-required medical card) and State of Alaska driver's license as required by applicable Alaska law.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-2006; AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 11-18-2014)
A. 
An application for a municipal tow operator license shall be made to the municipal clerk on a form approved by the municipal clerk and the applicant shall provide all required information including the following items and attachments at the time the application is submitted:
1. 
The name, mailing and physical addresses, and telephone numbers of the applicant, who shall be the owner and licensee of the business on the municipal license.
2. 
The name of the business to be licensed; the physical address of the business; and the telephone number for the tow operator.
3. 
A copy of the applicant's state business license, current for the tow operator license application period, and which shall reflect the same name and business identity as shown in the tow operator license application.
4. 
Licensing requirements of this chapter include insurance. One or more current certificates of insurance, which provide proof the applicant and applicant's business are licensed, bonded and insured with insurance coverage meeting or exceeding the following minimum insurance requirements. It is the responsibility of the licensed tow operator to notify the municipal clerk within ten business days of receipt of a notice of cancellation for any insurance policy required by this section, and failure to give required timely notice is a violation of the licensing requirements of this chapter.
a. 
Employers Liability insurance in an amount not less than $500,000.00, and Worker's Compensation insurance as required by state law.
b. 
On-hook insurance coverage is required for each tow vehicle owned and used by the tow operator. The required limits of coverage are:
Tow vehicle weight
Coverage limit
0—20,000 lbs
$50,000.00
20,001—45,000 lbs
$100,000.00
In excess of 45,000 lbs
$250,000.00
Tow tractor weight
Coverage limit
Tow tractor 0—45,000 lbs
$100,000.00
Tow tractor in excess of 45,000 lbs
$250,000
c. 
Automobile liability insurance in coverage amounts not less than $100,000.00 per person/$300,000.00 per accident bodily injury/$50,000.00 property damage with matching uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage or $500,000.00 combined single limits (CSL) with matching uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
d. 
Tow operators operating a vehicle storage or impound yard have additional insurance requirements:
i. 
Commercial general liability insurance required for each storage or impound yard location in limits of liability not less than $250,000.00 per occurrence with a $500,000.00 annual aggregate; and
ii. 
Garage keeper's comprehensive and collision coverage for each storage or impound yard location based on the number and values of vehicles the operator has on the lot at any given time.
5. 
A copy of the vehicle registration for each towing vehicle to be operated under the tow operator license.
6. 
A copy of the towing vehicle inspection report current under section 10.54.080 for each towing vehicle to be operated under a tow operator license.
7. 
A legible copy or picture of the tow operator's business office signage required in section 10.54.090 and chapter 9.54. If a towing operator does not maintain an office location apart and separate from the operator's commercial tow vehicle, then the commercial tow vehicle is the office for purposes of this chapter, and the application shall include a legible copy or picture of the commercial tow vehicle signage.
8. 
(Reserved)
9. 
The annual nonrefundable municipal tow operator license application fee.
10. 
An applicant for the private party impound (PPI) endorsement shall also provide:
a. 
An as-built and complete address for each vehicle storage location used by the tow operator, including legal description and physical street location.
i. 
Each vehicle storage location must be on property zoned for such use.
ii. 
Absent exceptional circumstances described in section 9.54.045, additional vehicle storage locations shall be updated with the municipal clerk prior to use.
b. 
The business and after-hours contact telephone numbers for storage location and access information for a vehicle towed under private party impound (PPI), as required in chapter 9.54.
c. 
Proof of commercial general liability insurance and garage keepers legal liability insurance, required for each storage or impound yard location in the amount of $500,000.00 per occurrence with a $1,000,000.00 annual aggregate.
d. 
A legible copy or picture of a typical sign posted by the tow operator in a privately owned area subject to authorized private party impound (PPI), listing the tow operator's telephone number and storage location in compliance with chapter 9.54.
e. 
A private party impound (PPI) information sheet, to be made available at each business and storage yard location used by the tow operator. The PPI information sheet shall include a summary of information required in chapter 9.54 and identify the:
i. 
Tow operator;
ii. 
The business and after-hours contact telephone numbers;
iii. 
Complete address and physical location of the storage yard;
iv. 
Normal or regular business hours, as defined in chapter 9.54;
v. 
Fee for tow and transport to a storage yard;
vi. 
On scene release (curb release) fee;
vii. 
Applicable after-hours fee and vehicle access fee;
viii. 
Storage fee;
ix. 
Applicable fuel surcharge;
x. 
Acceptable forms of payment.
f. 
Written confirmation signed by the tow operator acknowledging the tow operator's responsibility to maintain records under this chapter, and comply with chapter 9.54 on private party impound (PPI) rates and services.
g. 
The nonrefundable municipal fee for the private party impound (PPI) endorsement.
11. 
A participant in the rotational tow program administered by the Anchorage Police Department shall indicate the tow operator's participation on the tow operator license application form.
B. 
It is the tow operator's responsibility to ensure the license application is filed timely with the municipal clerk to avoid a lapse in lawful operation prior to renewal. Renewal applications filed at least 30 days before expiration of the municipal license are timely. Applications filed less than 30 days before expiration of the tow operator's municipal license do not qualify for temporary municipal license renewal under section 10.10.030.
C. 
The municipal clerk may issue a separate renewal application form to avoid duplication of current documentation previously filed by a licensed tow operator.
D. 
Unless otherwise specified, failure to file timely updates to license application requirements within 15 business days is a violation of the licensing requirements of this chapter.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-2006; AO No. 2014-85, § 2, 8-5-2014; AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 11-18-2014; Amd. of AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 12-16-2014)
A. 
Unless otherwise provided by operation of law or enforcement order, a tow operator providing nonconsensual tow or private party impound (PPI) services shall keep and maintain within the municipality, and make available for inspection by the municipality upon request, at least the following records for not less than two calendar years after the end of the calendar year in which the service was provided by the tow operator:
1. 
Transaction records required by chapter 9.54 for a nonconsensual tow or private party impound (PPI) including these items for each vehicle removed and towed to a storage yard:
a. 
Written authorization from the private property owner or agent to provide the service;
b. 
The location from which the vehicle was towed and a record of the posted signage at the private property location;
c. 
The time of day the vehicle was first observed or reported to the tow operator and the time of day the vehicle was towed;
d. 
The grounds for the vehicle removal and a photograph of the vehicle with the violation shown in the photograph;
e. 
The color and body type of the vehicle, and the make and model year if known;
f. 
The license plate number of the vehicle;
g. 
The vehicle identification number (VIN number) of the vehicle;
h. 
The business name and location of the storage facility where the vehicle was kept;
i. 
The length of time the vehicle was stored;
j. 
The itemized list of fees owed;
k. 
Record of payment of fees;
l. 
Any additional information about the vehicle or the service reported to the chief of police or designee.
2. 
Vehicle inspection, log books, and vehicle maintenance records required for the Alaska commercial driver's license.
3. 
Records of tow operator's interactions with:
a. 
The federal motor carrier safety administration;
b. 
The Alaska department of transportation and public facilities;
c. 
Federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies.
B. 
All records related to private party impound (PPI) vehicles sold at auction to satisfy towing and storage charges shall be retained for no less than three years after sale.
1. 
Within two business days of request by any municipal office, a tow operator licensee shall provide a copy of the records requested, including copies of required notices under Division of Motor Vehicle Form 826, Notice of Impound and Sale Form, for a vehicle auctioned to satisfy a lien for towing and storage charges incurred with the tow operator licensee.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-2006; AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 11-18-2014)
A. 
Any tow operator shall prominently post in public view a copy of the current municipal tow operator license at each business office location and impound yard used by the tow operator. If the tow operator provides private party impound (PPI) services, public posting shall include a copy of the current PPI endorsement.
B. 
A copy of the municipal tow operator license application for the current period, with all non-confidential attachments shall be displayed to any person upon request. The tow operator shall maintain a copy of the current license with all non-confidential attachments at each business office location and impound yard used by the tow operator. If the tow operator business is conducted exclusively from the towing vehicle, the tow operator shall maintain the copy of the license application for the current period and all non-confidential attachments in the tow vehicle.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-2006; AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 11-18-2014)
A. 
Each towing vehicle on an annual basis shall satisfactorily pass either a level one commercial vehicle inspection or a safety inspection by an ASE certified mechanic.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-2006; AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 11-18-2014)
Each licensed tow operator shall post a sign at each of the tow operator's business office locations, including impound yards, identifying the name, street address, phone number and other information required by chapter 9.54 for the business. If a towing operator does not maintain an office location apart and separate from the operator's commercial tow vehicle, then the commercial tow vehicle is the office for purposes of this chapter.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-2006; AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 11-18-2014)
A. 
The suspension and revocation provisions in sections 10.10.035—10.10.045 shall apply to the private party impound (PPI) endorsement and the tow operator license.
B. 
In addition to other remedies set forth in this title, failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter shall constitute grounds for suspension, revocation, or other restriction of the private party impound (PPI) endorsement or the tow operator license.
C. 
In addition to other remedies set forth in this title, failure to comply with the requirements of chapter 9.54 shall constitute grounds for suspension, revocation, or other restriction of the private party impound (PPI) endorsement or the tow operator license.
(AO No. 2014-137(S), § 2, 11-18-2014)