TOWING ALLOCATION DECAL

New Orleans City Code ch. 162, art. XI, div. 5

in effect

New Orleans City Code § 162-1009 Inspection decal.

Sec. 162-1009. - Inspection decal. (a) When the towing vehicle has met all of the requirements established in this article and paid the required fees, the superintendent, or their designee, shall issue a towing allocation decal of such size, color and form as the superintendent, or their designee may determine, and shall cause the same to be affixed to the windshield of the vehicle. The towing allocation decal shall be identified by number. If it becomes damaged or destroyed, a duplicate shall be issued by the superintendent, or their designee, after application has been made, at the same cost as the original decal. (b) The operation of a tow truck by a towing allocation list operator which has not received a towing allocation decal shall result in their revocation from the towing allocation list. (c) No towing allocation decal shall be issued until proof of liability coverage that meets the requirements of this article is confirmed by the city. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 28755, § 1, 8-5-21)

New Orleans City Code § 162-1010 Expiration and renewal of certificate.

Sec. 162-1010. - Expiration and renewal of certificate. (a) Each tow truck certificate issued by the superintendent, or their designee, pursuant to the provisions of this article, unless removed for cause, shall expire at the end of each calendar year; shall be renewable on the first of the following calendar year; and shall show, by numeral on the face thereof, the year of its expiration. (b) Unless the towing allocation decal/certificate is renewed prior to its expiration, each such decal/certificate shall expire on the applicable expiration date as set forth in a schedule determined and posted by the superintendent, or their designee. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 28755, § 1, 8-5-21)

New Orleans City Code § 162-1011 Removal of towing allocation privileges.

Sec. 162-1011. - Removal of towing allocation privileges. Upon completion of the towing vehicle inspection, the NOPD shall, if necessary, remove from the approved list any towing allocation company operating a tow truck found defective or is not able to pass inspection at any time. The current decal shall be removed from the vehicle by the NOPD and a new towing allocation decal shall not be issued until all defects have been corrected and the towing vehicle passes inspection. Additionally, any towing company, towing vehicle or driver that violates this article or the rules set forth by the superintendent, or their designee, shall have their towing allocation privileges revoked until the case is adjudicated in court. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 28755, § 1, 8-5-21)

New Orleans City Code § 162-1012 Towing allocation list qualification criteria.

Sec. 162-1012. - Towing allocation list qualification criteria. Each applicant shall maintain their towing and recovery business "storage facility" in Orleans Parish. The applicant must maintain all records pertaining to calls made under the towing allocation list at the storage facility, titled for this towing, recovery, and storage business and staffed Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding legal holidays. The towing service must make these records available for inspection by the NOPD. A representative of the towing and recovery business shall be on call for emergencies, and an owner of a towed vehicle shall not be charged a storage fee for the days that the owner could not retrieve his or her vehicle as a result of an action or omission from which the tow business would benefit. Each applicant shall maintain all insurance coverage required by Louisiana law, including worker's compensation insurance and sufficient liability insurance to indemnify the City of New Orleans against any losses. A certificate of insurance shall be required as proof of insurance at the submission of an application or renewal. There shall be an annual fee of $20.00 paid to the City of New Orleans for the NOPD to inspect and verify that a towing business and single tow truck meet the criteria as herein established for the towing allocation list at a particular location in the city. There shall be an annual fee of $10.00 paid to the City of New Orleans by the tow truck owner for the NOPD to inspect and verify that each additional tow truck meets the criteria as herein established for the towing allocation list. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 28755, § 1, 8-5-21)

New Orleans City Code § 162-1013 Equipment requirements/personnel standards.

Sec. 162-1013. - Equipment requirements/personnel standards. Tow trucks and operators shall meet all City of New Orleans equipment requirements and personnel standards as follows: (1) Each towing business shall use a unique name as designated on the state towing license, which shall be clearly distinguishable from the trade name of any other licensee. (2) No tow truck owner shall operate or permit anyone to operate a tow truck until the following requirements are fulfilled: a. Tow truck operators shall have valid licenses as required by state and municipal law. b. Every operator shall be competent by reason of experience or training to safely operate the type of tow truck or tow trucks authorized by the state towing license. c. Every operator shall possess the knowledge and ability to rig, move, pick up, and transport vehicles without causing or increasing existing damage insofar as possible. d. Every operator shall be free from impairment of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or dangerous drugs when operating a towing service or tow truck. e. No tow truck company or individual shall operate a tow truck without having in his possession proof of current insurance in accordance with state law. (3) Every owner and operator shall be familiar with the laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to tow trucks. (4) Drivers are to wear clothing sufficient to identify the towing company and driver. (5) Any person operating a tow truck will have the necessary experience and qualifications to operate a tow truck in the manner required by this article. (6) All tow truck drivers will develop, for each vehicle towed or serviced, an itemized statement, bill, or invoice of the towing and storage charges incurred. (7) Drivers must be 18 years of age or older. Only those duly licensed to drive in the State of Louisiana shall be permitted to drive and operate a tow truck. The class of operator's license must be compatible to the equipment operated. (8) Tow trucks shall comply with all applicable lighting and equipment requirements in accordance with state law. (9) All tow trucks, except slide back recovery vehicles while they are transporting a vehicle on their beds, shall be equipped with at least one amber rotating or flashing beacon visible for 360 degrees at a distance of 1,000 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night. While at the scene of an accident, recovered stolen vehicle, or disabled vehicle, or when actually towing a vehicle, a tow truck operator shall illuminate or cause to be illuminated the amber rotating or flashing beacon. (10) All tow trucks shall be equipped with the following required equipment: a. Oil-absorbent material: All tow trucks shall have at least the following: Sand, clean dirt, or a commercial oil and grease absorbent in an amount of at least 1,155 cubic inches or the equivalent of a five-gallon can of material which is carried in a weatherproof container. b. Electric lantern or flashlight: All tow trucks shall have at all times, in good working condition, a battery powered electric lantern, or two-cell flashlight in lieu of an electric lantern. c. Fire extinguishers: Each tow truck shall be equipped with either: 1. A fire extinguisher having an Underwriters Laboratories rating of 5 B:C or more; or 2. Two fire extinguishers, each of which has an Underwriters Laboratories rating of 4 B:C or more. d. Steering wheel clamp: A steering wheel clamp, rope, or its equivalent shall be of sufficient strength to adequately lock the steering mechanism of a towed vehicle in a straightforward position. e. Tow sling or tow plate: 1. Every tow truck shall be equipped with a tow sling, plate, bar, or equivalent that is structurally adequate for any weight drawn. Slings or plates shall be properly and securely mounted on the tow truck without excessive slack. 2. The tow plates, slings, and tow-bars shall be securely attached to the towed vehicle by means of chains, hooks, straps, or equivalent. Attachment chains will have a capacity equal to the weight of the towed vehicle. At least two chains, hooks, straps, or equivalent shall be used. f. Attachments: 1. Every towed vehicle shall be coupled to the tow truck with attachments of a structural strength adequate to safely tow the vehicle. 2. Attachments shall be securely attached to the towing and towed vehicle with no more slack left in the attachment than is necessary to permit proper turning. (11) Each tow truck shall display on the door or side panel the trade name to their respective business, as registered with the NOPD. The letters are to be at least 2½ inches in height and shall be permanently affixed to the tow truck. (12) Capacities and specifications of towing equipment: a. The minimum standards of each tow truck license shall be determined solely by the manufacturer's specifications for the capabilities and capacities of the tow trucks and all towing equipment. b. Each tow truck shall be equipped with only those winches and cranes that have been produced and constructed by a manufacturer of such equipment who carries product liability insurance, and which regularly produces winches and cranes of guaranteed quality. 1. A winch or crane will not be prohibited by this subsection if the tow truck owner possesses certification from a reputable testing laboratory, regularly engaged in the testing of such equipment or similar equipment, indicating that the capacity of the winch or crane is not less than the weight for which application has been made. 2. All costs of such testing and certification shall be borne by the tow truck owner/applicant. (13) No tow truck shall tow another vehicle, unless the tow truck has a manufacturer's rating of 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or higher, and the tow truck has been issued the appropriate towing license plate required by the State of Louisiana. Tow trucks with a manufacturer's rating of less than 10,000 GVWR shall not be permitted. (14) All tow truck components (i.e., winches, booms, cables, cable clamps, thimbles, sheaves, guides, controls, blocks, slings, chains, hooks, and hydraulic components) are to be maintained in good condition at all times. Cable fittings for hooks, slings, etc., shall be assembled by factory recommendations and specifications. All portable equipment (i.e., shovel, broom, reflectors, flashlights, fire extinguisher, etc.) shall be permanent accessories and be available on the truck at all times. (15) It is required that the owner/operator carry on board the towing vehicle the following: Proof of all required insurance including a hazardous material policy, if applicable. (16) Tow truck equipment specifications: a. At no time shall any tow truck exceed its manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating or the manufacturer's rated capacity for the towing assembly. b. At no time will a tow truck attach to a vehicle which, by its size and/or weight, would make towing such vehicle an unsafe movement. That is, a tow truck and its load should never exceed the capabilities of the towing vehicle to safely accelerate, stop, or maneuver. (17) Towing services shall determine the method and manner of removing vehicles; provided, however, that they shall exercise due care in removal operations and shall follow the lawful direction of any law enforcement officer directing the removal so as not to impede traffic or endanger the general public and property. (18) Each tow truck authorized on the City of New Orleans towing allocation list shall display on the left front window above the brake tag the NOPD decal, recognizing their approved participation on the towing allocation list. (19) Towing services and operators on the towing allocation list, in accordance with the provisions of this article, shall be liable and answerable for damages for all injuries or damages whatsoever caused directly or indirectly by the use or operation of the towing allocation list tow truck, whether at the time of the injury or damages such tow truck was being used or operated by the owner, agent, servant or employee or other persons not agents, servants or employees of the holder, unless proof is shown that the vehicle was stolen. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 28755, § 1, 8-5-21)

New Orleans City Code § 162-1014 Storage facilities.

Sec. 162-1014. - Storage facilities. Storage facilities shall meet all City of New Orleans requirements as follows: (1) Towing/storage facility business practices. a. Storage facility business hours for purposes of inspection of records, place of business, and towing equipment shall be Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. b. When an operator is not open for business and does not have personnel present at the place of business, the operator shall post a clearly visible telephone number at the business location to advise the public how to make contact for the release of vehicles or personal property. c. All billing invoices that are provided to the redeemer of the vehicle shall be consecutively numbered and shall contain the following information: 1. Date of service and tow truck operator's name. 2. The name of any police agency requesting the tow, if applicable. 3. If the call for service is for a private individual, then an invoice must contain the full name, address, driver's license number or some form of permanent identification of the person requesting the tow. 4. Itemized fees for service; and 5. The date the vehicle was released. d. Any invoice, bill, statement, authorization or other form utilized by a towing company, which is to be signed by the owner (or agent) of a vehicle to be towed, must be of a format approved by the NOPD. This form must clearly denote what service is being authorized by signature. That is, there will be a separate signature line which merely authorizes the towing of the vehicle and another signature line to authorize any repairs to the vehicle. e. No repairs shall be performed upon any vehicle unless there is an explicit signed written agreement authorizing such repairs. f. Towing companies must submit a sample copy of their invoices to the NOPD towing and recovery unit to be kept on file there. Any invoice which does not meet the criteria outlined above will be in violation of these regulations and any charges for services on an unauthorized invoice will be forfeited. Towing companies shall furnish copies of invoices required herein with their application to the towing allocation list. g. A copy of the invoice shall be filed by invoice number at the business location and a copy of any voided invoices shall be retained in this same file. h. The address that the towing service lists on its application shall be the business location where its business records are kept. The application shall also list the locations of all storage areas for vehicle redemption. i. The owner of a storage facility will be required to maintain a suitable office to transact business and to accommodate the public. It shall be staffed from at least 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, throughout the year. Such facilities must be maintained properly, be clean, be presentable at all times and shall be subject to inspection by the NOPD towing and recovery unit. j. Towing services must make business records available for inspection upon request by law enforcement officers, which information shall be confidential and shall not be released or deemed a public record. (2) Storage procedures: a. All vehicles shall be handled and returned in substantially the same condition as they existed before being towed. b. All storage facilities shall employ reasonable safeguards and procedures so that all personal belongings and contents in the vehicle are intact and returned to the vehicle's owner or agent upon release of the vehicle. Reasonable requests for the return of essential property to the owner or agent of the property prior to the release of the vehicle shall be considered and honored wherever possible. c. All personal property left in a vehicle and not claimed prior to a towing company obtaining a permit to sell such vehicle will be handled in accordance with existing applicable civil law. Reasonable requests for the return of essential property shall be honored whenever possible. d. Any person who shows proof of ownership or written authorization from the impounded vehicle's registered or legal owner may inspect and view the vehicle without charge during normal business hours. (3) Storage facility: a. Storage areas must be secured against unauthorized entry in such a way as to give security to the property contained therein. b. Storage lots shall be designed to be adequate in size for the individual towing service's need for storing vehicles. The storage facility shall be of sufficient size to accommodate a minimum of 20 stored vehicles. Shared use of a storage facility by more than one towing and recovery business is prohibited, unless authorized by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. c. If a facility uses outdoor storage, fence material shall be of wood or metal design or of no less quality wire than 14½ gauge hog wire. 1. The fence must not be less than six feet in height. 2. All lots shall have at least one gate of the same quality material as the fence. 3. If such construction upon existing lot(s) is in violation of municipal zoning ordinances or other laws, the operator may file a petition for an alternate means of compliance and a proposed security plan with the NOPD towing and recovery unit. d. If the storage is an open area, it shall be adequately lighted as described herein. 1. Such storage area must have security with reasonable human attendance. 2. Such open area must be paved or have a sufficiently hard or gravel surface to prevent problems in entry or exit during inclement weather. 3. A conspicuous sign shall be maintained at all times at the entrance to the impound lot and at the impound lot office stating the name of business, telephone number, after hours telephone number, and hours of operation. 4. All impound lots will be lighted during all hours of darkness. 5. The gate to the impound lot(s) shall be locked during the hours of darkness except to provide reasonable ingress and egress in connection with towing service operations. 6. All storage facilities are subject to inspection by the NOPD and must meet the applicable standards defined herein. (4) [Minimum security requirements.] The foregoing shall be considered minimum security requirements. a. The towing allocation list operator shall, at all times, keep the NOPD advised of the address of the storage facility furnished by it under this requirement. Each vehicle storage facility as provided herein must be approved by the NOPD. Each storage facility shall be inspected by the NOPD and shall contain a minimum of 7,200 square feet of storage area. This is inclusive of a separate and secure area where vehicles towed due to towing allocation duties are properly separately stored. b. Nothing contained in this section shall be considered to supersede or otherwise affect applicable provisions of the zoning ordinance of the city. c. Whenever any vehicle has been towed (other than by owner's request) to a storage facility where fees are charged for such storage or parking, the owner or operator of the storage facility shall, within 24 hours of the time such vehicle is towed to that storage facility, notify the NOPD towing and recovery unit that the vehicle has been towed for storage. The storage operator shall provide to the law enforcement authorities or their designees: 1. The police item number; 2. The location from which the vehicle was towed; 3. A description of the vehicle; 4. The license plate number and vehicle identification number of the vehicle; 5. The name and address of the location to which the vehicle was towed; and 6. An official report of stored vehicle card must be filed with the department of public safety, office of motor vehicles, dealer support section or its agent. d. Each towing service shall be licensed as a separate legal entity. e. Towing operators intending to lease or rent storage facilities from established business firms shall file such plan of lease or rent with the NOPD for approval. Such plan must include specific terms delineating the responsibility of the operator relating to compliance with these regulations and assurance that accountability is maintained. f. Towing operators will maintain all records dealing with the towing and storage of vehicles for a minimum of five years. The NOPD shall have the right to enter and inspect all towing/storage facilities during normal working hours and these documents will be made available upon request. g. All towing services shall maintain impoundment records which shall include the following information: 1. The date and time the call for service was received and from whom it was received, when applicable. 2. The police item number. 3. A description of the vehicle including make, model, color, vehicle identification number, and license plate number. 4. The date, time, and place at which the operator began the towing operation. 5. The date at which the impounded vehicle was released to the owner. 6. The name of the driver of the tow truck. 7. Letters of notification as required by these rules. 8. Proof of administrative costs. 9. Records of release of vehicle(s). (5) Storage rates. All storage facility operators shall charge rates as set forth in the rules and regulations of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. (6) Owner notification of a stored vehicle. a. Within seven days of the time that a vehicle is placed in a storage facility, the operator of the storage facility shall notify in writing, by certified letter, return receipt requested, the last registered owner of the vehicle (at the owner's last known address) and the lien holder, should there be any. b. The storage operator shall provide to the owner: 1. The police item number. 2. The location and name of the storage facility. 3. The vehicle identification number. 4. The vehicle license plate number. 5. A description of the vehicle. 6. The name of the person or agency that had the vehicle towed and/or placed in storage. 7. The date that the vehicle was placed in storage. 8. The condition of the vehicle. 9. The notice of the owner's right to an administrative hearing. 10. The address to which the request for a hearing must be sent. 11. The date by which the request for a hearing must be mailed, by certified letter, return receipt requested, which shall be ten days from the date that the owner's notification is postmarked. c. Administrative fees: 1. Towing services may charge the registered owner/lienholder those administrative costs incurred by the filing of the official report of stored vehicle card with the office of motor vehicles along with any postal charges related to the mailing of the official report of stored vehicle card or certified letters to the registered owner/lienholder. 2. All costs must be documented with receipts which shall be made available to the registered owner/lienholder upon demand. Failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of all administrative costs, towing, and storage fees. 3. At no time will administrative costs exceed $25.00 for in-state notifications and $30.00 for out-of-state notifications. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 28755, § 1, 8-5-21)

Source: City of New Orleans, Code of Ordinances and Home Rule Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/la/new_orleans/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH162VEHI_ARTXITORESTRE_DIV5TOALDEFetched: 10/28/2026