EXPLANATION: CAPITALS indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: Councilmember Curran
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE concerning
title
Impound Towing - Fees
FOR the purpose of setting maximum towing, storage, and related charges that may be imposed on the owners or operators of impounded vehicles; establishing a period within which these charges may not be increased; correcting, clarifying, and conforming related provisions; and generally relating to impound towing.
body
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments
Article 31 - Transit and Traffic
Section(s) 31-42(d) and 31-47
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 31. Transit and Traffic
Subtitle 31. Clear Streets and Impoundment
§ 31 42. Employment of tow trucks.
(d) Fees.
(1) [The] SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS SET IN PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE towing charges shall be [set] AGREED TO in advance[, arrived at] by [agreement between] the towers, the Commissioner, and the Director[, with any]. ANY disputes as to [such] THE charges [to] SHALL be settled by the Commissioner.
(2) [In] IF the [event] towing is performed by City forces or vehicles and [no] THE employment of PRIVATE towers [becomes necessary] IS UNNECESSARY, the same [schedule of] TOWING charges [shall] apply.
(3) [Such] ALL towing charges [will] SHALL be added to the cost of storage, as [hereinafter] specified in § 31 47 OF THIS SUBTITLE, and [made] ARE a lien upon [such] THE vehicle.
(4) (I) IN NO EVENT, HOWEVER, MAY A VEHICLE'S OWNER OR OPERATOR, OR THEIR AGENTS, BE CHARGED OR LIABLE FOR ANY TOWING OR OTHER SERVICE IN AN AMOUNT THAT EXCEEDS THE AMOUNT AUTHORIZED FOR THE SERVICE BY THE 2009 TOWING RATES AGREEMENT, AS PROPOSED TO THE BOARD OF ESTIMATES ON APRIL 1, 2009.
(II) THE CHARGES AUTHORIZED BY THE 2009 TOWING RATES AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE INCREASED AT ANY TIME WITHIN 5 YEARS FROM APRIL 1, 2009.
§ 31 47. Storage charges.
(a) Basic charges.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section for commercial vehicles, the storage charge for each vehicle delivered to the storage area is as follows:
(i) for the 1st 48 hours or any shorter period, $50; and
(ii) for each 24 hour period or part of a 24-hour period after the 1st 48 hours, $15.
(b) Commercial vehicles.
(1) The storage charges for a commercial vehicle, as defined in the Maryland Vehicle Law, are as set by the Director from time to time.
(2) A schedule of the charges set under this subsection must be filed with the Department of Legislative Reference before they take effect.
(c) Charges in addition to fines, etc.
The charges imposed by OR UNDER this section are in addition to any other fine, penalty, or charge imposed for violation of any traffic law.
(D) NO INCREASE FOR 3 YEARS.
THE CHARGES IMPOSED OR AUTHORIZED BY THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE INCREASED AT ANY TIME WITHIN 3 YEARS FROM APRIL 1, 2009.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.
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