# Part 3 – Towing Operations

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 22-11 Owner’s, operator’s right to choose.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 22-11 (2026)

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

  (1) if the vehicle is impeding the free flow of traffic or movement of pedestrians or if some other emergency pertains, as determined by the police officer on the scene, the police officer shall request the Police Commissioner to summons a medallion towing vehicle; and

  (2) in all other situations:

    (i) the police officer on the scene shall permit the owner or operator, if available, to contact a bona fide automobile or motor club of which he or she is a member or an automobile insurance company with which she or he is insured; and

    (ii) if the owner or operator declines or is unavailable to do so, the police officer shall request the Police Commissioner to summons a medallion towing vehicle.

(b) 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.

(c) 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:

  (1) is not there in violation of § 22-21 {“Solicitations prohibited”}or <cite data-path="|31|§22-24">§ 22-24 {“Police radios prohibited”} of this subtitle</cite>; and

  (2) either:

    (i) is a medallion towing vehicle summoned by the Police Commissioner; or

    (ii) is a towing vehicle summoned by the owner’s or operator’s automobile or motor club or automobile insurance company.

(d) 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.

(e)

  (1) This subsection does not apply to a vehicle that is being held for evidence.

  (2) The owner or operator of a disabled vehicle, if available, retains full discretion to determine the destination to which the vehicle is to be towed, even if the tow is by a medallion towing vehicle summoned under this section.

*History: Ord. 93-231*

*History: Ord. 08-077*

## § 22-12 Police assignments.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 22-12 (2026)

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

(b)

  (1) Subject to <cite data-path="|31|§22-11">§ 22-11 {“Owner’s, operator’s right to choose”} of this subtitle</cite>, whenever the services of a towing vehicle are required and a request is made to the Commissioner’s office for towing services, the Commissioner shall summons the medallion towing company whose place of business is closest to the scene of the accident.

  (2) If the towing company that is closest to the scene does not then have a medallion towing vehicle available, the Commissioner shall summons the next closest towing company, and so on until a medallion towing vehicle has been secured.

*History: Ord. 57-998*

*History: Ord. 75-921*

*History: Ord. 08-077*

## § 22-13

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 22-13 (2026)

Reserved

## § 22-14 Tow vehicle identification.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 22-14 (2026)

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

(b) 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.

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

*History: Ord. 57-998*

*History: Ord. 75-921*

*History: Ord. 08-077*

## § 22-15 Estimates and repairs.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 22-15 (2026)

(a)

  (1) A towing company may not make any repairs for consideration on a disabled vehicle towed by it without first entering into a signed agreement with the owner of the disabled vehicle or the owner’s authorized representative.

  (2) The signed agreement must include an estimates of the cost of repairs.

(b)

  (1) 1 copy of an agreement entered into under this section shall be given to the owner of the disabled vehicle or the owner’s authorized representative.

  (2) 1 copy of an agreement entered into under this section shall be retained by the towing company for a period of at least 2 years.

*History: Ord. 57-998*

*History: Ord. 75-921*

*History: Ord. 08-077*

## § 22-16 Delivery of vehicle.

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 22-16 (2026)

(a)

  (1) A towing company that acquires custody and control of a vehicle under this subtitle shall deliver custody and control to the Police Commissioner, unless a signed agreement to the contrary is executed by the owner of the vehicle.

  (2) If the vehicle is delivered into the custody and control of the Commissioner, the Commissioner is responsible for the safety of the vehicle while it is in the Commissioner’s custody and control.

(b) 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.

*History: Ord. 57-998*

*History: Ord. 75-921*

*History: Ord. 08-077*

## §§ 22-17 to 22-20

Balt., Md., Code art. 31, § 22-17 to 22-20 (2026)

Reserved