As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONEDAny vehicle which is parked along any highway or other public property or on any private property without the consent of the owner or other person in charge of the property for a period of more than 48 hours, or for any period without current registration or license plates, as required by law, or is positioned so as to constitute an obstruction to traffic.
ABSORBENTA granulated or powder substance used to soak up fluids commonly found in the operation of motor vehicles.
AFTER-HOURS RELEASEAn additional fee incurred by the vehicle owner for release of his/her vehicle after business hours. After-hours release can only occur with mutual consent of the vehicle owner and the City towing contractor.
BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUPThe cleanup and removal of small quantities of fluids that are associated with the operation of a motor vehicle which leak on the ground.
COMMON INTEREST PROPERTYSemipublic roadways, driveways and parking areas in residential, common interest developments. Common property of covenant controlled communities and homeowner associations.
DISABLED VEHICLEA motor vehicle which has been abandoned or rendered inoperable by mechanical failure or accident.
EGG HARBOR CITY STORAGE FACILITYAny facility or location owned or under control of Egg Harbor City that the Police Department may direct an impounded vehicle to be removed to.
EXTRAORDINARY SERVICEA charge for extra manpower, equipment or additional service that may be necessary to recover or tow a disabled vehicle. An extraordinary service charge is not to be routinely incurred.
IMPOUNDMENTThe act of storing and confining a motor vehicle upon an order of the Police Department at either the towing operator's storage area or at a City facility as a result of abandonment, involvement in an accident, suspected criminal activity and any violation of the New Jersey Vehicle Statutes which the police may act upon.
INSIDE BUILDING SECUREDA vehicle storage facility that is completely indoors, having one or more openings in the wall for storage and removal of vehicles, and that is secured by a locking device on each opening. The inside storage space shall be safeguarded against access by unauthorized personnel.
FLAT BEDA vehicle carrier equipped with a wheel lift and roll back/tilt bed with dual rear wheels capable of removing and transporting small trucks, full-size vans or large passenger cars damage free.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTAn occurrence in which a vehicle comes in contact with any other object for which the vehicle must be towed or removed for placement in a storage facility. This includes all situations which are accidental to one person, even if caused by the intentional acts of another.
MUNICIPAL TOWING CONTRACTORA person, firm, corporation or partnership engaged in the business of providing basic towing services, road service and storage services for motor vehicles, licensed under authority of this chapter to provide towing services at the request of the Police Department.
ORDINARY CARECare that is normally given to protect a motor vehicle from further damage, including but not limited to usage of tarps for environmental protection and security protection for storage areas.
OUTSIDE BUILDING SECUREDA vehicle storage facility that is not indoors and is secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier that is at least six feet high and is installed with a passive alarm system or a similar on-site security measure. The facility is to be lit at night. The facility must be an area of at least 10,000 square feet.
OWNERA person, firm, corporation or other entity who owns, leases and/or operates, parks or abandons a vehicle on the roads or highways within the City of Egg Harbor, which vehicle by reason of being disabled or unlawfully upon said road requires towing services.
PERSONAL BELONGINGSProperty belonging to or under control of a vehicle owner that might be contained in a vehicle. Personal belongings do not include items attached to the vehicle.
POLICEThe Egg Harbor City Police Department.
PRINCIPAL LOCATIONSufficient space at an auto-related business where the licensee shall conduct business associated with the towing and storage of vehicles under the authority of the towing license issued by the City of Egg Harbor. Principal location must be staffed during business hours and maintain a clean and comfortable waiting area with toilet facilities.
PRIVATE PROPERTYAll roadways, driveway and parking areas not common interest property or under the jurisdiction of a public body as authorized by law.
PRIVATE TOWING CONTRACTORA person, firm, corporation or partnership engaged in the business of providing nonemergency, nonpreference towing and storage services for motor vehicles, licensed under the authority of this chapter to provide towing services at the request of the common interest property association.
RECOVERY/WINCHINGAny vehicle that is recovered from a position beyond the right-of-way or berm, or from being impaled upon any other object within the right-of-way or berm. It shall also include the uprighting of any vehicle which is overturned or on its side.
ROUTE CALLS FOR SERVICERepairs that can be provided to a disabled vehicle without towing, including but not limited to flat tire changing, jump starting and gasoline deliveries.
STORAGE FACILITYA lawfully licensed area or lot where motor vehicles are kept, deposited or stored on a temporary basis.
STORAGE FEESThe maximum allowable amount of storage charges to be charged per twenty-four-hour period or any part thereof.
STORAGE SERVICESThe housing or holding of vehicles by a licensee under authority of this chapter.
TOW VEHICLEVehicles equipped with a boom or booms, winches, slings, tilt-beds, wheel lifts or under-reach equipment specifically designed by its manufacturer for the removal of automobiles.
UNCLAIMED VEHICLESAny vehicle towed by a licensed tower under the chapter that is left unclaimed for a period of 10 days.
VEHICLEEvery device in, upon or by which a person or property is or may be transported upon a highway, except devices moved by human power.
WAITING TIMEAdditional time a tow operator spends at the scene other then the time required for the actual tow and/or recovery.
WRECKERA tow vehicle with dual rear wheels capable of towing or wheel lifting vehicles.