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<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 31-42 Employment of tow trucks.">
  <section prefix="§" num="31-42" heading="Employment of tow trucks.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Director to remove vehicles in violation.">In carrying out the provisions of this subtitle with respect to vehicles abandoned, parked, stopped, left unattended in violation of law, or obstructing traffic, the Police Commissioner shall cause the vehicle to be removed.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Private towers to be used for others.">
      <para num="(1)">However, with respect to cars stolen, disabled by accident or otherwise, or parked so as to block the entrance to a driveway in an impoundment zone, except in emergency situations, the Commissioner shall employ 1 or more licensed towers or towing companies to proceed at once to the scene and transport such vehicle to the said auto pound.</para>
      <para num="(2)">Disabled vehicles, however, may be towed to a place designated by the owner or his agent.</para>
      <para num="(3)">For the purposes of this section, emergency situations are deemed to mean police security, civil disaster, or otherwise.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Selection of towers.">
      <para num="(1)">Such tower shall be selected by the Commissioner from a list previously prepared by him.</para>
      <para num="(2)">In selecting a tower for a particular transaction, preference shall be given to one as close as possible to the location of the vehicle.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Fees.">
      <para num="(1)">The towing charges shall be set in advance, arrived at by agreement between the towers, the Commissioner, and the Director, with any disputes as to charges to be settled by the Commissioner.</para>
      <para num="(2)">In the event towing is performed by City forces or vehicles and no employment of towers becomes necessary, the same schedule of charges shall apply.  Such towing charges will be added to the cost of storage as hereinafter specified, and made a lien upon such vehicle.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(e)" heading="Reports by private towers.">When a private tower is used, said Commissioner shall prepare a vehicle report for the vehicle and have it verified and signed by such tower on forms provided by the Commissioner:<para num="(1)">containing:<para num="(i)">a brief description of the vehicle, including any distinguishing marks or accessories; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">a listing of any personal property found;</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">showing removal and custody of same for such vehicle; and</para>
      <para num="(3)">also showing the towing charges for removing said vehicle to the auto pound.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(f)" heading="Rules and regulations.">The Commissioner may promulgate and adopt rules to implement the enforcement hereof, such rules to be published.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §95</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 69-343</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 70-806</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 81-425</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 15-435</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
