§ 98-102. Definitions.  


Latest version.
  • The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

    Auto wrecker means any automobile, truck or other motor vehicle used for towing, carrying or otherwise transporting any other vehicle which has been wrecked or disabled in any manner, from one place to another for hire, charge, fee or compensation or for any benefit amounting to a consideration.

    Emergency wrecker means an auto wrecker which may be summoned by the police to appear at the scene of an automobile accident for the purpose of towing, carrying or otherwise transporting any motor vehicle which has been wrecked or disabled in any manner, from one place to another for hire, charge, fee or compensation or for any benefit amounting to a consideration, and which has met all requirements as set forth in this article.

    Fee means any money or compensation charged by a wrecked operator, driver or authorized agent for towing or wrecker services or for storage of a towed vehicle in an approved storage lot or facility.

    Heavy duty wrecker means an auto wrecker with a manufacturer's specified gross combination vehicle weight rating (the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination vehicle, generally equal to the loaded weight of the wrecker plus the total weight of the towed unit and any load thereon) in excess of 35,000 pounds.

    Law enforcement agency means either the city police department, the sheriff's department, and/or the state police, depending upon which agency has jurisdiction over a particular vehicular accident occurring within the corporate limits of the City of Lafayette and/or the unincorporated areas of the Parish of Lafayette.

    Nonconsensual tow means the towing of a vehicle without the consent of the registered owner thereof, or under emergency circumstances where a wrecker operator has been summoned to tow a vehicle by a person or entity other than the registered owner or driver thereof.

    Private property tow means the towing of a vehicle from private property and the storing of such vehicle without the consent of the registered owner thereof, but with the written authorization of the property owner, or the person in control of the property.

    Regular business hours means the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday throughout the calendar year, with the exception of legal holidays duly recognized by the city-parish consolidated government.

    Wrecker driver means any person who operates or drives any auto wrecker, emergency wrecker, or heavy duty wrecker on the roads and streets of the city or the unincorporated areas of the parish, either on his own account or in the employ of another.

    Wrecker operator means any person, firm, partnership, corporation or association engaged in the business of providing wrecker and towing service and/or providing facilities for the storage of motor vehicles in the City of Lafayette and/or the Parish of Lafayette.

(Ord. No. O-232-98, § 1, 9-1-98)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.