Tow Operator
- Fee: $200
- Term: 2 Yrs
- Required Documentation:
- Vehicle Registration-Each Vehicle Used
- Impound Yard-Copy of As-Built
- Proof of Insurance/Summary of Insurance
- Current Rate Sheet
- Alaska State Business License
- Download Application
Chapter 10.54 TOW OPERATORS
- 10.54.010 Definitions.
- 10.54.020 License required.
- 10.54.030 Qualifications for a license.
- 10.54.040 Application for license.
- 10.54.050 Location of business.
- 10.54.060 Record of transactions.
- 10.54.070 Posting of licenses, permits, certificates and documents.
- 10.54.080 Commercial vehicle inspections.
- 10.54.090 Signage.
- 10.54.010 Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed below:
Public nuisance means any act or condition that annoys, injures or endangers the safety, health, comfort or repose of the public.
Tow operator or towing operator shall mean any person or entity providing towing services.
Tow service or towing service shall mean:
- 1. Transportation of a vehicle by a commercial towing vehicle pursuant toSection 9.54.020to a storage facility described inSection 9.54.040B. at the request of the person who owns, controls or possesses the premises from which the vehicle is removed;
- 2. Transportation of a vehicle by a commercial towing vehicle pursuant to contract or rotational tow program with the municipality;
- 3. Transportation of a vehicle by a commercial towing vehicle at the request of a registered owner or other person authorized to request transportation of the vehicle; or
- 4. All services related to such transportation by a commercial towing vehicle, including but not limited to curbside release, release from storage, and storage.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-06)
10.54.020 License required.
A. No person may engage in the business of towing services of vehicles or public nuisances parked, stopped or standing on private or public property within the Municipality, without first having obtained a towing contractor's license from the municipal clerk.
B. A person engaging in the business of towing services without the tow operator license required in this chapter is subject to a fine as set out inSection 10.05.025C.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-06)
10.54.030 Qualifications for a license.
A tow operator licensed under this chapter shall carry at all times a state medical card and commercial driver's license, if applicable.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-06)
10.54.040 Application for license.
A. An application for a municipal towing operator license shall be made to the municipal clerk on a form approved by the municipal clerk and shall include the following items:
- 1. The name of the business to be licensed;
- 2. The name, mailing and physical addresses, and telephone numbers of the applicant, who shall be the owner and licensee of the business on the municipal license;
- 3. A copy of the applicant's state business license, which shall be the same as the applicant's name and the name of the business to be licensed;
- 4. One or more current certificates of insurance, which provide proof the applicant and applicant's business is licensed, bonded and insured, with the following minimum insurance requirements:
- a. Worker's compensation insurance as required by state law, where applicable.
- b. Commercial general liability insurance in limits of liability as required by state law, where applicable.
- c. Automobile liability insurance in limits of liability as required by state law, where applicable.
- d. Garage keepers legal liability insurance, including on-hook coverage (perils - fire, theft, and collision) in limits of liability not less than $100,000.00 per location and $25,000.00 per vehicle.
- e. Each policy of insurance required in this section shall provide for no less than 30 days' advance notice to the municipality prior to cancellation.
- 5. A copy of the vehicle registration for each vehicle receiving a municipal sticker.
- 6. The biennial (two-year) municipal license application fee of $200.00.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-06)
10.54.050 Location of business.
A. A towing operator license shall be issued only to a towing operator with a properly zoned impound yard(s), if applicable; and
B. The applicant shall provide an as-built and complete address for the impound yard location(s), including legal description and physical street location(s).
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-06)
10.54.060 Record of transactions.
Upon request, a towing operator licensee shall forward, within five calendar days of auction, a completed copy of Division of Motor Vehicle Form 826, Notice of Impound and Sale Form, for each vehicle auctioned, either by hand-delivery or U. S. mail to:
Anchorage Police Department
Impound Section
4501 S. Bragaw Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99507
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-06)
10.54.070 Posting of licenses, permits, certificates and documents.
A. A licensee shall maintain the following documents, as applicable, either at the towing operator impound yard, or in the vehicle from which the towing operator business is conducted pursuant to the business license, and shall display them to any person upon request:
- 1. Current state business license for the business operated pursuant to the municipal license;
- 2. All federal, state and municipal documents relating to the federal motor carrier safety administration and the state department of transportation and public facilities;
- 3. Certificate of insurance showing current workers' compensation coverage;
- 4. All government documents relating to the provisions of services offered by the licensee;
- 5. Placement of one, three-inch in diameter colored municipal sticker displaying the Municipality logo and the year the sticker is valid, on the lower left corner of the windshield on the driver's side. The municipal sticker shall be visible at all times;
- 6. Notice of claim forms shall be available for the public at the front counter of the towing business impound yard;
- 7. Current rate sheets setting out applicable towing and storage charges for the towing business shall be available for the public at the front counter of the impound yard.(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-06
10.54.080 Commercial vehicle inspections.
Each towing vehicle shall obtain a level one commercial vehicle inspection each year.
(AO No. 2005-83(S), § 1, 1-1-06)
10.54.090 Signage.
A. Each licensed tow operator shall post a sign at each business location, including impound yards, identifying the name, street address and the phone number for the business.