Towing Fee Ordinance Introduced in Brick

Tow truck. (Credit: Greg Goebel/Flickr/File Photo)

An ordinance that will update the township’s fee schedule for towing services has been introduced and is expected to come before the township council for a final vote next week.

The ordinance regulates maximum fees for the towing and storage of vehicles. All businesses that perform towing within the township must be licensed and comply with the proposed fee schedule, which would raise costs, but eliminate hourly fee variations. For the owner of a standard vehicle weighing less than 8,600 pounds, the new towing fee would be $125. The current rate for the same vehicle is $95 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and $105 at all other times.

Brick last updated its towing and impound fees in 2007, said Council President Paul Mummolo.

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“The proposed changes are in line with surrounding the towns’ fees,” Mummolo said.

The fees are “fair to both consumers and the local towing companies,” he added.

The recovery of a vehicle from the beach or underwater would cost $450 per hour under the new ordinance, billed in 30 minute increments, the same as the current ordinance.

Vehicle storage fees for standard vehicles at township-authorized impound lots would rise from $1 per hour for first 48 hours after tow, then $35 for indoor storage or $25 for outdoor storage per day, to a flat rate of $35 per day for outdoor storage and $45 per day for indoor storage. Indoor storage would remain at the order of the police department, the ordinance states.

Towing operators would remain the township contractors to respond to vehicle lock-outs, flat tires and jump starts.

The updated fee schedule was introduced at the May 17 township council meeting. It is expected to be the subject of a required public hearing and second vote at the June 6 council meeting.

Editor’s Note: Due to the primary election set for June 7, the regular Tuesday meeting of the council has been moved to Monday, June 6.