As used in this chapter, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
BASIC TOWING SERVICE
The removal and transportation of an automobile or solid
debris resulting from an accident, motor vehicle crash, or otherwise
from a highway, street or other public or private road, or a parking
area, or from a storage facility, and other services normally incident
thereto, but does not include recovery of an automobile 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.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
A motor vehicle of any type used in the conduct of any business
of professional conveyance, or used as a public or livery means, for
the paid conveyance of passengers.
DECOUPLING FEE
A charge by a towing company for releasing a motor vehicle
to its owner or operator when the vehicle has been, or is about to
be, hooked or lifted by a tower, but prior to the vehicle actually
having been moved or removed from the property.
[Added 6-6-2013 by Ord. No. 13-2459]
INSIDE BUILDING
A 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.
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
An occurrence in which a private passenger automobile comes
into contact with any other object for which the private passenger
automobile must be towed or removed for placement in a storage facility.
This includes all situations which are accidental as to the owner
or operator of the motor vehicle even if they were caused by the intentional
acts of a perpetrator where the perpetrator was not the owner or operator
of the motor vehicle.
NONCONSENSUAL TOWING
The towing of a motor vehicle without the consent of the
owner or operator of the vehicle.
[Added 6-6-2013 by Ord. No. 13-2459]
OFFICIAL TOWERS
Entities which:
(1)
Own or operate tow vehicles; and
(2)
Have been designated as official towers pursuant
to this chapter.
OUTSIDE SECURED
An automobile 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 lighted at night.
OUTSIDE UNSECURED
An automobile storage facility that is not indoors and is
not secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier, and all other
storage facilities not defined above as "inside building" or "outside
secured."
PASSENGER VEHICLE
A motor vehicle of a private passenger or station wagon type
that is owned or leased and is neither used as a public or livery
conveyance for passengers nor rented to others with a driver; and
a motor vehicle with a pickup body, or delivery sedan, a van, a sport
utility vehicle (SUV), or a panel truck or a camper-type vehicle used
for recreational purposes owned by an individual not used in the occupation,
profession or business of the owner(s).
PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER
The owner or lessee of private property, or an agent of such
owner or lessee, but shall not include a private property towing company
acting as an agent of such owner or lessee.
[Added 6-6-2013 by Ord. No. 13-2459]
PRIVATE PROPERTY TOWING
The nonconsensual towing from private property or from a
storage facility by a motor vehicle of a consumer's motor vehicle
that is parked illegally, parked during a time at which such parking
is not permitted, or otherwise parked without authorization, or the
immobilization of or preparation for moving or removing of such motor
vehicle, for which a service charge is made, either directly or indirectly.
This term shall not include the towing of a motor vehicle that has
been abandoned on private property in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-56.6,
provided that the abandoned vehicle is reported to the appropriate
law enforcement agency prior to removal and the vehicle is removed
in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-56.6.
[Added 6-6-2013 by Ord. No. 13-2459]
STORAGE CHARGES FOR CALENDAR DAY
The maximum allowable amount to be charged by a storage facility
for a calendar day or portion thereof. A new calendar day begins at
12:01 a.m.
TOW VEHICLE
Only those vehicles equipped with a boom or booms, winches,
slings, tilt beds, wheel lifts or under-reach equipment specifically
designed by its manufacturer for the removal or transport of motor
vehicles.