Subtitle 22 – Towing Services – Accident Towing

In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

“Disabled vehicle” means a motor vehicle that:

“Medallion towing company” means a towing company that:

“Medallion towing vehicle” means a towing vehicle that:

“Police Commissioner” or “Commissioner” means the Baltimore City Police Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee.

“Towing company” means any person that owns or operates a business for the disentangling or towing of disabled vehicles.

“Towing vehicle” means a vehicle that tows a disabled vehicle.

to safeguard the public interests against fraud, discrimination, deceptions, and similar abuses;

to eliminate traffic delays, unnecessary street congestion, and traffic hazards; and

generally, to protect the general welfare and public interests of the community.

The Police Commissioner shall adopt and enforce rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle.

A copy of all rules and regulations must be filed with the Department of Legislative Reference before they take effect.

No person may tow a disabled vehicle from any location in the City unless:

Applications for a license must be in the form and contain the information that the Police Commissioner requires.

The application must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $250.

On receipt of an application for an initial license, the Police Commissioner shall investigate the qualifications of the applicant.

Every person licensed under this subtitle shall file with the Police Commissioner a bond to save harmless the owner of any vehicle for any property damage occurring while the vehicle is in that person’s possession.

The bond shall be in an amount of at least $20,000.

A licensee may not change the charges without filing with the Police Commissioner an amended schedule that shows the proposed changes.

Whenever a disabled vehicle needs to be towed from a City street:

If the towing company contacted by an automobile or motor club or automobile insurance company under subsection (a)(2)(i) of this section cannot or does not respond within 20 minutes or a reasonable period of time, as determined by the police officer under the circumstances, the police officer shall request the Police Commissioner to summons a medallion towing vehicle.

To the extent possible under the circumstances, the police officer at the scene shall verify that the towing vehicle arriving at the scene and preparing to tow the disabled vehicle:

Once a medallion towing vehicle has been summonsed under this section, it is to be given priority over any other towing vehicle that may arrive at the scene.

The Police Commissioner shall maintain a current list of all medallion towing companies licensed under this subtitle.

Every medallion towing vehicle shall be identified as specified in this section and the Police Commissioner’s rules and regulations.

The name, address, and telephone number of the towing company shall be legibly inscribed or painted, on both sides of the towing vehicle, in lettering not less than 4 inches high.

The towing vehicle shall carry and display the medallion or other certification issued by the Commissioner for that vehicle.

Nothing in this section prevents the owner of a vehicle or the owner’s authorized representative from reacquiring custody and control of the vehicle on payment to the towing company or to the Police Commissioner, as the case may be, of the applicable fees, as established in the schedule filed with the Commissioner.

in any way solicit towing business; or

attempt or offer to take any disabled vehicle in tow unless:

This section does not apply to a bona fide automobile or motor club, association, or insurance company.

No person towing a disabled vehicle may:

possess at his, her, or its garage, repair shop, or other place of business any radio-receiving set capable of receiving signals or messages transmitted on frequencies allocated for use by the Police Department; or

in connection with any towing operations, make use of any signals or messages transmitted by the Police Department on frequencies allocated for its use.

The Police Commissioner may deny, refuse to renew, revoke, or suspend the license of any person who:

In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this subtitle may be enforced by issuance of a civil citation under City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}.

The issuance of a citation to enforce this subtitle does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this subtitle or of the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for not more than 12 months, or both fine and imprisonment for each offense.

Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense.