§ 98-194. Storage facilities and fees.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    Every wrecker operator shall provide vehicle storage facilities which are secured against entry and properly illuminated in such a manner as to provide reasonable security for the property contained in such storage facility. All storage facilities shall be located in the parish.

    (b)

    Storage facilities shall be enclosed by a fence not less than six feet in height. Fence material shall be of wood or metal design or of no less than 14½ gauge hog wire topped by a v-shaped, two-strand barbed-wire protector. The storage facility shall be maintained in such a manner as to not impact the aesthetic qualities of the surrounding area. Storage ares shall also be paved or have a sufficiently hard or gravel surface to permit ease of entry or exit from the facility during inclement weather. Storage facilities shall be reasonably lighted during all hours of darkness. The gate to the facility shall be locked during hours of darkness except as may be necessary to provide reasonable ingress and egress to permit towing operations and to allow individuals access to their stored vehicles.

    (c)

    Wrecker operators shall maintain a conspicuous sign at all times at the entrance to the storage lot and at the lot offices stating the name of the business and its telephone number, after hours telephone number and hours of operation. Each storage facility must be manned and staffed during regular business hours as defined in section 98-102 of this article.

    (d)

    All vehicles towed under the provisions of this article must be removed to, and stored in, a storage facility located inside the parish.

    (e)

    It shall be unlawful for any wrecker to tow a vehicle to any location other than the wrecker operator's storage facility unless the owner of the vehicle requests that it be towed to another location.

    (f)

    No towed vehicle may be moved from one storage location to another location without the prior consent of the registered owner of the vehicle or his duly authorized agent, or by making final disposition of the vehicle under R.S. 32:521.

    (g)

    Owners of storage facilities must at all times provide for the release of stored vehicles without additional charges beyond those charges listed in this division, at any time within 24 hours immediately following the time of initial storage on their lots.

    (h)

    Owners of storage facilities shall be responsible to the same extent as other common or contract carriers for the safekeeping or delivery of the property of others entrusted to them or which comes into their possession through the operation of their businesses pursuant to this section in accordance with the provisions of state and federal law applicable thereto.

    (i)

    Charges for storage of vehicles in storage lots shall not exceed:

    (1)

    $9.00 per day for outside storage of automobiles, and light trucks.

    (2)

    $5.00 per day for inside or outside storage of motorcycles.

    (3)

    $12.00 per day for inside storage of automobiles and light trucks.

    (4)

    $40.00 per day for truck tractors, house trailers, truck trailers, buses, etc.

    (5)

    Charges shall begin 24 hours after a vehicle is placed in storage and a portion of a calendar day shall constitute a full day's storage.

    (6)

    In addition to the aforesaid charges, owners of storage facilities shall be permitted to charge an administrative fee not to exceed the amount permitted to be charged in accordance with the provisions of Louisiana Administrative Code title 55, part I, chapter 19, section 1949.

    (j)

    Every owner of a storage facility shall make provisions for the receiving of a stored vehicle.

    (k)

    Every owner of a storage facility shall be responsible for the keeping of records of stored vehicles, and for the releasing of vehicles.

    (l)

    During regular business hours, the owner of a storage facility shall permit a vehicle owner and/or his authorized agent to inspect his vehicle stored at the facility. Upon request by the owner of the vehicle and/or his authorized agent, the owner of the facility shall also permit such person to remove any personal property located in the vehicle which does not constitute a part of the vehicle. The owner of the facility may require the vehicle owner and/or his authorized agent to execute a receipt for all personal property. No additional charges shall accrue as a consequence of the inspection or the release of personal property to a vehicle owner and/or his authorized agent during regular business hours. However, the owner of a storage facility may charge a service charge to a vehicle owner and/or his authorized agent who seeks to inspect a vehicle and/or to remove personal property therefrom only as permitted in section 98-161(4) of this article.

(Ord. No. O-232-98, § 12, 9-1-98)