[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Long Branch 7-26-1977 by Ord. No. 884 (Ch. XXIV of the 1971 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Department of Public Safety — See Ch. 5, § 5-13.
Abandoned vehicles — See Ch. 322.
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 325.
[Amended 3-10-1983 by Ord. No. 1096]
The Public Safety Director of the City of Long Branch shall establish a list of persons or firms who shall be utilized by the Police Department of the City to provide towing and wrecking services for abandoned, wrecked or impounded vehicles. This list shall be established based upon the filing of applications by those interested parties, said application to be in a form as fully described in § 316-2 of this chapter.
A. 
The Public Safety Director be and the same hereby is authorized to use John's Truck and Auto of 505 Joline Avenue, Long Branch, New Jersey, as a contact and storage facility for abandoned vehicles in the City of Long Branch.
[Added 4-9-2002 by Ord. No. 4-02; amended 4-12-2005 by Ord. No. 9-05]
A. 
An application for a license as a proprietor of a towing or wrecking business to be placed upon the list to be utilized by the Police Department shall be made by the person or firm engaged in operating a wrecker or wreckers. The application shall be made on forms furnished by the Police Department and specifically report the following facts:
(1) 
The full name and address of the applicant. If the application is made for a corporation, it shall state the names and addresses of the officers and directors thereof, its registered office and its resident agent.
(2) 
The year, make and type of each wrecker used in said business, its serial number, registration number and registered owner.
(3) 
The address where the wrecker or wreckers shall be regularly garaged, the telephone number available on a twenty-four-hour-per-day basis and the names of all operators, their addresses and the serial numbers of their New Jersey motor vehicle licenses.
B. 
The application for a towing-wrecking license shall be accompanied by a certificate of liability insurance for said wrecker in the policy limits of no less than $250,000 for one person, $500,000 for one accident and $20,000 for property damage. The certificate of insurance shall be issued by a company certified to do business in New Jersey, and each policy so required must contain an endorsement providing for 30 days' notice to the City in the event of any material changes in the policy or cancellation thereof.
C. 
The City Clerk shall refer the application for a license to the Police Department for a check of all equipment, personnel and facilities of the applicant to determine the ability of the applicant to perform the business herein regulated.
D. 
The office, workshop and storage areas of the applicant must be located in zones where such use is permitted and lie within the boundaries of the City of Long Branch.
E. 
Each vendor providing towing service must show proof of ownership or a lease agreement for a proper land area to store a minimum of 20 cars. Adequate lighting shielded from abutting premises shall be maintained during night hours, and a security fence of at least six feet in height shall be maintained.
[Amended 3-10-1983 by Ord. No. 1096]
F. 
Each wrecker must meet all of the requirements of N.J.S.A. Title 39, Motor Vehicle Rules and Regulations, and must have a lifting capacity of at least four tons. In addition, each wrecker must have the following equipment:
(1) 
One large broom and shovel.
(2) 
At least one set of dolly wheels.
(3) 
Steering wheel lock for towing vehicles from the rear.
(4) 
Tow sling-type tow bar and/or wheel lift to prevent any part of the crane metal from touching towed vehicles.
[Amended 7-23-1991 by Ord. No. 24-91]
(5) 
Emergency warning lights.
(6) 
Portable safety lights to be installed on the rear of the towed vehicle if necessary.
(7) 
Safety flares for night work.
(8) 
At least 50 feet of adequate size cable or chain to be used when winching is necessary.
[Added 3-10-1983 by Ord. No. 1096]
(9) 
Snatch block to be used for winching.
[Added 3-10-1983 by Ord. No. 1096]
G. 
After the application has been submitted and been reviewed by the Police Department, it shall be forwarded to the Director of Public Safety for approval or disapproval by him. Such approval or disapproval shall be dependent on both the applicant's technical ability to perform the requested tasks as outlined above and upon the applicant's personal fitness to engage in a business regulated in the public interest. Factors which the Police Department and the Director of Public Safety shall determine as disqualifying for reasons of personal fitness shall include:
(1) 
Conviction of an indictable offense;
(2) 
Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; and
(3) 
Conviction of a crime involving the use or possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
H. 
No license for a tower or wrecker shall be granted unless and until the number of licenses issued and outstanding shall be less than six.
[Added 7-26-1988 by Ord. No. 47-88]
The Director of Public Safety shall see that a record is maintained containing the names, addresses and twenty-four-hour telephone numbers of all licensed wreckers and a record of the types of wreckers available to meet the specific need of the emergency. The Director of Public Safety shall also see that a record is maintained of the regular response of wreckers to police calls and any and all complaints from vehicle owners as to improper service or charges.
The Public Safety Director shall maintain a revolving list of licensed wreckers to provide service where needed and instruct all duty officers to call those listed in alphabetical order on a rotational basis. All owners or operators of disabled vehicles shall retain the right to direct the towing vehicle to remove the damaged vehicle to a garage or workshop of their own choosing.
[Amended 3-10-1983 by Ord. No. 1096; 7-26-1988 by Ord. No. 47-88; 4-23-1991 by Ord. No. 9-91; 7-23-1991 by Ord. No. 24-91; 1-12-1999 by Ord. No. 47-98; 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 9-01; 12-30-2003 by Ord. No. 43-03; 9-11-2007 by Ord. No. 35-07; 2-24-2015 by Ord. No. 2-15; 4-12-2023 by Ord. No. 09-23; 11-12-2025 by Ord. No. O-14-25]
A. 
Towing fee schedule: result of public impounds, accidents and theft recovery.
(1) 
For passenger vehicles, mopeds, motorcycles under 8,000 pounds, the towing fee shall be as follows:
(a) 
Passenger vehicles, including mopeds and motorcycles, adjacent to the confines of the roadway, from any point in the City of Long Branch any day of the week, at any time of day or night and all holidays are a flat fee of $125, with the exception of dolly towing which shall be an extra charge of $40. There shall be an extra $2.50 charge per mile outside of City limits.
(2) 
For all vehicles over 8,000 pounds or any vehicle over 20 feet in length including the load on the trailer, the towing fee shall be as follows:
(a) 
Any vehicles 8,000 pounds or greater as registered gross weight or manufacturer's gross vehicle weight placard, from any point within the City of Long Branch, at any time of the day or night: $160, with the exception of dolly towing which shall be an extra charge of $40. There shall be an extra $2.50 charge per mile outside of City limits.
(3) 
When the winching of any vehicles or the recovery of any vehicles is required, within 25 feet from the roadway, an additional fee of $75 shall be charged. For any vehicle that is more than 25 feet from the roadway, an additional fee of $3 per foot of cable utilized shall be charged.
(4) 
The towing and service charges for City of Long Branch owned vehicles shall be as follows:
(a) 
Vehicles up to 8,000 pounds' weight rating, as identified on the manufacturer's GVWR placard, or any vehicle over 20 feet in length including the load on the trailer: $50.
(b) 
Vehicles over 8,000 pounds' weight rating, as identified on the manufacturer's GVWR placard, or any vehicle over 20 feet in length including the load on the trailer with the exception of fire trucks and garbage trucks: $75.
(c) 
City of Long Branch owned fire trucks and garbage trucks with a GVWR over 8,000 pounds: $150.
(5) 
Where the owner of a vehicle requests a wrecker for a service call, on a vehicle not to be towed, the charge for this service shall not exceed the City rates for towing.
(6) 
Every operator of a towing service shall give the owner a written estimate of costs and a written receipt when paid.
(7) 
Additional flatbed truck to provide towing services, if necessary, shall result in an additional charge of no greater than $75 with approval of officer on scene.
(8) 
Use of materials for cleaning an accident scene and for material and labor required for the application, cleanup and disposal of absorbent material required for the cleanup of fuel leaks or spills covering less than 100 square feet of the roadway. Fluid leaks or spills larger than 100 square feet will be mitigated by the Fire Department of the City of Long Branch, $45.
B. 
Towing storage fee schedule.
(1) 
Where passenger vehicles under 8,000 pounds' weight rating, as identified on the manufacturer's GVWR placard for load on vehicle or trailer, including mopeds and motorcycles, are stored prior to reclamation by the owner, the fees shall be as follows:
(a) 
Indoors. A fee of $60 per day shall be charged. The request for a vehicle to be stored inside shall be made by the owner of the vehicle or by the City of Long Branch Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit. Any vehicle which is stored inside shall remain inside until the vehicle is retrieved or a request by the owner or this agency is given to place the vehicle in another location.
(b) 
Outdoors. A fee of $40 per day shall be charged.
(c) 
Outdoors (unsecured). A fee of $15 per day shall be charged.
(2) 
Where vehicles over 8,000 pounds' weight rating, as identified on the manufacturer's GVWR placard for load on vehicle or trailer, or any vehicle over 20 feet in length including the load on the trailer are stored prior to reclamation by the owner, the fees shall be as follows:
(a) 
Inside building. Storage facility rates shall be $62 for any vehicle or trailer greater than 20 feet in length or with a weight rating greater than 8,000 pounds, as identified on the manufacturer's GVWR placard. The request for a vehicle to be stored inside shall be made by the owner of the vehicle, or by the City of Long Branch Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit. Any vehicle, which is stored inside, shall remain inside, until the vehicle is retrieved or a request by the owner or this agency is given to place the vehicle in another location.
(b) 
Outside secured storage facility capacity. Rates shall be $42 for any vehicle or trailer greater than 20 feet in length or with a weight rating greater than 8,000 pounds, as identified on the manufacturer's GVWR placard.
(c) 
Outside unsecured storage facility capacity. Rates shall be $17 for any vehicle or trailer greater than 20 feet in length or with a weight rating greater than 8,000 pounds, as identified on the manufacturer's GVWR placard.
(3) 
Use of collision wrap for unsecured broken windows shall result in an additional charge of no greater than $25 per window.
The practice of cruising with a wrecker or tow truck is forbidden. Furthermore, no person shall pay any emolument to any third person not involved in the accident or to any police officer for information as to the location of any accident or soliciting the employment of the licensee's of any accident or soliciting the employment of the licensee's service, nor give any gratuities, fees or other compensation or gifts to any members of the Police Department.
[Amended 7-26-1988 by Ord. No. 47-88; 2-24-2015 by Ord. No. 2-15; 4-12-2023 by Ord. No. 09-23; 11-12-2025 by Ord. No. O-14-25]
The fee for the license issued under this chapter shall be $250, paid on receipt of said license from the City Clerk. The license shall remain valid from January 1 to December 31 of each year. It may be renewed annually by the operator paying a fee of $250, provided that the operator continues to comply with all the terms and conditions of this chapter.
A. 
Tow truck annual inspection fee: $100 per truck.
By making application to be utilized as a tower or wrecker by the Police Department and by accepting such employment, the person or firm agrees to the following:
A. 
In order to provide the public with prompt and adequate tow truck service, the tow truck operator will be asked to respond within 20 minutes after receipt of the call. If the operator cannot respond within such time, he shall so notify the person requesting the service, and the person requesting said service, if time is of the essence, may call another licensee on the rotating list.
[Amended 3-10-1983 by Ord. No. 1096]
B. 
Clean all debris at the accident site emanating from the accident, including the application, cleanup and disposal of absorbent material required for the cleanup of fluid leaks or spills covering less than 100 square feet of the roadway.
[Amended 12-30-2003 by Ord. No. 43-03]
C. 
Provide the Police Department and the City-approved title processing company with the information of any and all unclaimed vehicles. Vehicles over 15 business days for junk title, 20 business days for operable vehicles:
[Amended 7-26-1988 by Ord. No. 47-88; 2-24-2015 by Ord. No. 2-15]
(1) 
Year, make, color and vehicle identification number.
(2) 
Owner's name and address, if available.
D. 
Maintain a ledger of all towing or wrecking jobs handled, the name of the owner or operator, if known, the charges made for the service and the date and amount of payments.
E. 
Comply with all other terms and conditions of this chapter.
F. 
Comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.
G. 
Provide the City of Long Branch with a written agreement to indemnify and hold the City harmless against any claims arising out of the towing operator's work which may be found to be negligently performed. The agreement shall also include indemnification for any legal fees and costs and expenses incurred by the city.
[Added 3-10-1983 by Ord. No. 1096]
H. 
Two refusals per week by any tower operator will result in a hearing before the Public Safety Director, at which time the license may be suspended or revoked. A refusal shall include but not be limited to the following:
[Added 7-26-1988 by Ord. No. 47-88; amended 7-23-1991 by Ord. No. 24-91; 4-12-2023 by Ord. No. 09-23]
(1) 
No answer at phone numbers supplied.
(2) 
Failure to respond, once notified, in the appropriate time.
(3) 
Verbal refusal.
I. 
Required hours of operation for release of vehicles are as follows:
[Added 7-26-1988 by Ord. No. 47-88; amended 2-24-2015 by Ord. No. 2-15]
(1) 
Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(2) 
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
(3) 
Any vehicle released after hours of the operation are subject to an additional fee of $100.
J. 
All impounded vehicles as well as vehicles towed as a result of an accident shall be stored in a secured area as defined in § 316-2E.
[Added 12-12-2000 by Ord. No. 51-00]
K. 
The only vehicles which shall be stored in an outside unsecured area shall be those which are currently registered and operable, not having been towed as a result of being impounded or in an accident, and only after expressed permission of the owner of the vehicle is granted for such storage.
[Added 12-12-2000 by Ord. No. 51-00]
The Director of Public Safety is hereby given the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter, subject to approval by resolution by the City Council of the City of Long Branch. The Director of Public Safety is hereby given the authority to suspend or revoke the right of any person or firm which is on the authorized list if the person or firm violates any of the terms and conditions of this chapter. Any person or firm aggrieved by any rule or regulation promulgated by the Director of Public Safety or by a suspension or revocation made by him shall be given a hearing by the City Council within 15 days of the filing with the City Clerk of a request for a hearing.
[Amended 9-11-2007 by Ord. No. 35-07]
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed so as to prevent any owner or operator of a motor vehicle from calling any wrecker or tower of his own choice, provided that the tower can respond within a reasonable amount of time and provided that he does not tie up a police officer. Additionally, nothing in this chapter shall be construed so as to obligate the City of Long Branch or any of its officers or employees to become obligated in any way whatsoever for any storage charges or towing fees as authorized by this chapter.
[Added 3-10-1983 by Ord. No. 1096; amended 4-23-1991 by Ord. No. 9-91]
Each and every person or entity violating any of the provisions of this chapter, or the chapter which it amends or supplements, shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 for a first offense, not more than $10,000 for a second offense and not more than $15,000 for each subsequent offense.