Towing Operations

Baltimore City Code art. 31, subtit. 22, pt. 3

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 22-11 Owner’s, operator’s right to choose.

§ 22-11. Owner’s, operator’s right to choose. (a) In general. Whenever a disabled vehicle needs to be towed from a City street: (1) if the vehicle is impeding the free flow of traffic or movement of pedestrians or if some other emergency pertains, as determined by the police officer on the scene, the police officer shall request the Police Commissioner to summons a medallion towing vehicle; and (2) in all other situations: (i) the police officer on the scene shall permit the owner or operator, if available, to contact a bona fide automobile or motor club of which he or she is a member or an automobile insurance company with which she or he is insured; and (ii) if the owner or operator declines or is unavailable to do so, the police officer shall request the Police Commissioner to summons a medallion towing vehicle. (b) Required response time. If the towing company contacted by an automobile or motor club or automobile insurance company under subsection (a)(2)(i) of this section cannot or does not respond within 20 minutes or a reasonable period of time, as determined by the police officer under the circumstances, the police officer shall request the Police Commissioner to summons a medallion towing vehicle. (c) Assurance of compliance. To the extent possible under the circumstances, the police officer at the scene shall verify that the towing vehicle arriving at the scene and preparing to tow the disabled vehicle: (1) is not there in violation of § 22-21 {“Solicitations prohibited”}or § 22-24 {“Police radios prohibited”} of this subtitle; and (2) either: (i) is a medallion towing vehicle summoned by the Police Commissioner; or (ii) is a towing vehicle summoned by the owner’s or operator’s automobile or motor club or automobile insurance company. (d) Priorities. Once a medallion towing vehicle has been summonsed under this section, it is to be given priority over any other towing vehicle that may arrive at the scene. (e) Destination. (1) This subsection does not apply to a vehicle that is being held for evidence. (2) The owner or operator of a disabled vehicle, if available, retains full discretion to determine the destination to which the vehicle is to be towed, even if the tow is by a medallion towing vehicle summoned under this section. (Ord. 08-077; Ord. 93-231.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 22-12 Police assignments.

§ 22-12. Police assignments. (a) Commissioner to retain list. The Police Commissioner shall maintain a current list of all medallion towing companies licensed under this subtitle. (b) Allocation by proximity. (1) Subject to § 22-11 {“Owner’s, operator’s right to choose”} of this subtitle, whenever the services of a towing vehicle are required and a request is made to the Commissioner’s office for towing services, the Commissioner shall summons the medallion towing company whose place of business is closest to the scene of the accident. (2) If the towing company that is closest to the scene does not then have a medallion towing vehicle available, the Commissioner shall summons the next closest towing company, and so on until a medallion towing vehicle has been secured. (Ord. 08-077; Ord. 75-921; Ord. 57-998.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 22-13 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 22-14 Tow vehicle identification.

§ 22-14. Tow vehicle identification. (a) In general. Every medallion towing vehicle shall be identified as specified in this section and the Police Commissioner’s rules and regulations. (b) Information required. The name, address, and telephone number of the towing company shall be legibly inscribed or painted, on both sides of the towing vehicle, in lettering not less than 4 inches high. (c) Medallion display. The towing vehicle shall carry and display the medallion or other certification issued by the Commissioner for that vehicle. (Ord. 08-077; Ord. 75-921; Ord. 57-998.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 22-15 Estimates and repairs.

§ 22-15. Estimates and repairs. (a) Agreement required. (1) A towing company may not make any repairs for consideration on a disabled vehicle towed by it without first entering into a signed agreement with the owner of the disabled vehicle or the owner’s authorized representative. (2) The signed agreement must include an estimates of the cost of repairs. (b) Copies. (1) 1 copy of an agreement entered into under this section shall be given to the owner of the disabled vehicle or the owner’s authorized representative. (2) 1 copy of an agreement entered into under this section shall be retained by the towing company for a period of at least 2 years. (Ord. 08-077; Ord. 75-921; Ord. 57-998.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, § 22-16 Delivery of vehicle.

§ 22-16. Delivery of vehicle. (a) To police. (1) A towing company that acquires custody and control of a vehicle under this subtitle shall deliver custody and control to the Police Commissioner, unless a signed agreement to the contrary is executed by the owner of the vehicle. (2) If the vehicle is delivered into the custody and control of the Commissioner, the Commissioner is responsible for the safety of the vehicle while it is in the Commissioner’s custody and control. (b) Recovery by owner. Nothing in this section prevents the owner of a vehicle or the owner’s authorized representative from reacquiring custody and control of the vehicle on payment to the towing company or to the Police Commissioner, as the case may be, of the applicable fees, as established in the schedule filed with the Commissioner. (Ord. 08-077; Ord. 75-921; Ord. 57-998.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 31, §§ 22-17 to 22-20 {Reserved}

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/31/22/3Fetched: 10/25/2026