§ 19-402. Fee schedule.

(a)

No towing fees may be charged other than those fees listed in this subsection, including charges for dollies, special equipment, or mileage.

(b)

The maximum fee that may be charge for towing under this article shall be:

(1)

One hundred seventy-seven dollars ($177.00) for vehicles ten thousand (10,000) pounds or less.

(2)

One hundred ninety-six dollars ($196.00) for vehicles between ten thousand one (10,001) and twenty-four thousand nine hundred ninety-nine (24,999) pounds.

(3)

Six hundred two dollars ($602.00) for any vehicle or combination vehicle twenty-five thousand (25,000) pounds or more.

(c)

Weight, for purposes of this section, shall be determined by the gross weight recorded on the vehicle registration.

(d)

If the owner or operator of a vehicle which is parked in violation of this Code or state law arrives before the vehicle is hooked up, the wrecker operator shall release the vehicle for free. If the owner or operator of a vehicle which is parked in violation of this Code or state law arrives after the vehicle is hooked up but before it is removed from the property, the wrecker operator shall advise them the vehicle will be release upon payment of the drop fee. The wrecker operator will allow the vehicle owner or operator at least fifteen (15) minutes to get the funds for the drop fee. There is nothing requiring the wrecker operator to release a legally towed vehicle that is properly hooked up and has left the private property.

(e)

The maximum fee that may be charged for a drop fee under this chapter shall be one-half (½) of the full rate as set forth in subsection (b) above.

(f)

For payment of any fee under this section, a towing company or vehicle storage facility shall accept payment by an electronic check, debit card, or credit card for any charge associated with delivery or storage of a vehicle. For payment of any fee under this section, a vehicle storage facility shall accept payment by an electronic check, debit card, or credit card for any charge associated with delivery or storage of a vehicle. Release of a vehicle may not be denied based on the inability of the facility to accept payment by electronic check, debit card, or credit card of any charge associated with delivery or storage of the a vehicle unless the inability to accept such payment is due to factors outside the control of the vehicle storage facility, such as a power outage or machine malfunction. However, payment by credit or debit card may be refused if the named cardholder is not present.

(g)

In no way is subsection (b) above to be construed to mean that a towing company may not charge less than the fees stated in this section. These fees are the maximum that can be charged for any towing, or drop fee of a vehicle in accordance with this article.

(Ord. No. 2013-01-31-0075, § 1(Att. I), 1-31-13)