Municipal Code, Complete - City of Santa Barbara

Sections:
5.30.010 Definitions.
5.30.020 Permits and Exemptions.
5.30.030 Requirements and Duties.
5.30.040 Signs and Notices, Rates and
Charges.
5.30.050 Release of Vehicles, Payment,
Notice, Protest.
5.30.060 Itemized Statement.
5.30.070 Prohibitions.
5.30.080 Applications and Issuance.
5.30.010 Definitions.
Chapter 5.30
TOWING OF VEHICLES
5.30.090 Appeal.
5.30.100 Grounds for Suspension or
Revocation.
5.30.110 Notice and Hearing for Suspension
or Revocation.
5.30.120 Rules and Regulations.
5.30.130 Insurance.
5.30.140 Hold Harmless and
Indemnification.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words are defined:
(a) "Applicant" means a person who applies for a towing permit pursuant to this chapter.
(b) "Board" means the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the City of Santa Barbara.
(c) "Emergency towing" means the towing of a vehicle when requested by an officer of any law enforcement
agency acting under authority of law or any City official or employee acting in his official capacity.
(d) "Non-emergency towing" means the towing of a vehicle (1) that has been involved in a collision, but has
been removed from the scene; (2) that has experienced mechanical failure, but is not on the road-way or has been
removed from the roadway and no longer constitutes a hazard; or (3) that, being mechanically operative, is towed for
convenience.
(e) "Involuntary towing" means towing of a vehicle pursuant to the provisions of California Vehicle Code
§22650 et seq. when requested by someone other than the legal owner, registered owner, driver or other person in
control of a vehicle.
(f) "Permittee" means any person issued a towing permit pursuant to this chapter.
(g) "Service" means formal delivery of a document and shall be deemed to be completed when a document has
been (1) personally delivered, or (2) has been enclosed in a sealed envelope addressed to the applicant or permittee
with postage thereon fully prepaid and said envelope has been deposited in a United States mailbox.
(h) "Towing Operation" means the activity of towing vehicles for compensation within the City. Towing
operations shall include the storing of vehicles and all other services performed incident to towing. (Ord. 3970,
1978.)
5.30.020 Permits and Exemptions.
(a) Permit Required, Term and Fee. No person shall engage in, manage, conduct or operate a towing operation
business without a towing permit which shall be obtained from the offices of the Tax and Permit Inspector. The
period for issuance of a towing permit shall be three (3) years and the fee for such permit shall be established by
resolution of the City Council.
(b) Exemptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any towing operation that provides tow
service:
(1) Exclusively to members of an association, automobile club, or similar organization and receives
remuneration only from the sponsoring association, automobile club or similar organization;
(2) Without charge or fee for other vehicles owned or operated by the individual or organization furnishing
the tow services;
(3) For other vehicles owned or operated by the individual or organization furnishing the tow service, but
which are being operated under terms of a rent or lease agreement or contract, and such towing is performed on a
non-profit basis or said fee is a part of the rent or lease agreement or contract; and
(c) Imposition of Conditions-Towing Operation Permit. In granting any permit under this chapter, the Board
may impose such reasonable conditions relative to the activities of towing operations as it may be necessary for the
protection of the public peace, safety, health or welfare and such conditions shall be consistent with the provisions of
this chapter. (Ord. 4010 §1, 1979; Ord. 3970, 1978.)
129 rev. 6/30/05