TOWING AND BOOTING COMPANIES

Reno Administrative Code tit. 6, ch. 6.10

in effect

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.010 Scope.

Sec. 6.10.010. - Scope. This chapter applies to any towing or booting company operating within the Reno city limits that tows vehicles or installs automobile immobilizers on vehicles for either official city agencies or private persons, on city streets, commercial lots, and private property. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.020 Definitions.

Sec. 6.10.020. - Definitions. Booting company means the owner, manager, employee or agent of a company engaged in the installation of automobile immobilizers, sometimes referred to as "Denver boots" or "French boots," operating within the city limits, and who holds himself out for hire for such installation (hereinafter called "booting"). Operator of a tow car means the owner, manager, employee or agent of a company engaged in the transportation of vehicles by the use of a tow car, and who holds himself out for hire for such towing. This includes any tow company who holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the public service commission. Categories of tariffs. Tariffs for tow cars will be divided into the following categories: (1) Category A: Towing or removing a vehicle at the request of a law enforcement agency, the owner of the vehicle, his agent or the driver of the vehicle which requires the use of a tow car with an unladen weight of 9,000 pounds or more. (2) Category B: Towing or removing a vehicle at the request of a law enforcement agency, the owner of the vehicle, his agent or the driver of the vehicle which does not require the use of a tow car with an unladen weight of 9,000 pounds or more. (3) Category C: Towing or removing a vehicle at the request of a person other than a law enforcement agency, the owner of the vehicle, his agent or the driver of the vehicle. Vehicle owner means the registered owner, and the registered owner's authorized agent, representative, or permissive user exercising control over any vehicle that has been booted. For purposes of this chapter, any keyholder of the booted vehicle shall be presumed to be the vehicle owner. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 4830, § 1, 1-13-98; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.030 Release of vehicles.

Sec. 6.10.030. - Release of vehicles. (a) The operator of a tow car shall allow the vehicle owner of a motor vehicle that has been connected to a tow car to obtain the release of the vehicle at the point of origination of the towing if: (1) A request is made to release the vehicle: and (2) The owner or agent pays the fee for releasing the vehicle. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.040 Authority to tow or immobilize vehicles on private property; display of signs on and marking of property.

Sec. 6.10.040. - Authority to tow or immobilize vehicles on private property; display of signs on and marking of property. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e), an operator of a tow car or booting company shall not tow a vehicle from or boot a vehicle on private property at the request of the owner or person in lawful possession of the property, or a designated agent of the owner or person in lawful possession of the property, unless a sign or signs are displayed on the property in accordance with NRS 487.038, any applicable municipal and county ordinances and subsection (d). For purposes of this section, the operator of a tow car or booting company is not an authorized agent of the owner of the real property unless such company is a booting company under contract with the owner or the person in lawful possession of the property. (b) In residential complexes, reserved parking spaces and areas in which parking is prohibited must be clearly identified and marked. In addition, tenants of a residential complex in which patrolling for the purpose of booting parking violators is not currently being used, must be notified in writing a minimum of 15 days prior to commencing such patrolling. (c) If a sign is removed, destroyed or damaged, it must be replaced or repaired within a reasonable time. No vehicle shall be towed or booted until the sign or signs have been up for at least 24 hours. (d) A sign or signs displayed on a parking lot pursuant to subsection (a) must: (1) Be printed with contrasting white background and black lettering; (2) Use uniform lettering legible to a person of normal visual acuity situated at least 25 feet distant from the sign; (3) Be visible at night through the use of either direct or indirect lighting; (4) Be placed on the parking lot in such a manner that it is in the field of view of all drivers entering and using the lot, be placed in a manner so that the center of the sign is neither less than three nor more than six feet above the surface of the lot and not be placed so that it is obscured or obstructed by an intervening object including a lawfully parked vehicle; (5) Be of sufficient quantity and placement to notify all users of the lot of its parking restrictions; and (6) Include the name and telephone number of the towing or booting company available to facilitate the recovery of the vehicle by the vehicle owner, and of the local law enforcement agency which is notified, and the charge made for the recovery of an impounded vehicle. (7) Identify the business or businesses for which parking is allowed, or to which parking is restricted, in the subject parking area. (8) In lieu of placing signs throughout the private street, lot or garage in which parking is restricted, a property owner and booting company will be deemed in compliance with this section if signs containing the information and format required by this section are conspicuously posted and maintained by the owner of the property at each designated entrance and exit of the property as to be readily visible and legible to a vehicle operator entering the property. If vehicular access to the property is not physically limited to a designated entrance and exit, the external boundary of the property must be designated by appropriate signage or marking of the pavement. (e) This section does not apply: (1) If the owner or person in lawful possession of private property or the designated agent of the owner or person in lawful possession of the property has entered into a written contract with the owner of the vehicle which describes the circumstances under which a vehicle may be towed or booted. For purposes of this section, the operator of a tow car or booting company is not an authorized agent of the owner of the real property unless such company is a booting company under contract with the owner or the person in lawful possession of the property; (2) If the owner or person in lawful possession of private property, or designated agent of the owner or person in lawful possession of the property, requests that the vehicle be towed because it is parked in a "no parking" area such as a marked fire lane, red zone, travel lane of a roadway, driveway, lawn or any other area commonly recognized as a "no parking" area; (3) If the property on which booting or towing occurs is residential real property upon which only a single-family dwelling is located; (4) To towing or booting of a vehicle at the direction of a peace officer; or (5) To the towing of a vehicle from an unimproved area or an area where no sign is displayed if a notice has been posted on the vehicle for not less than 24 hours. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 4830, § 2, 1-13-98; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.045 Identification required.

Sec. 6.10.045. - Identification required. (a) A vehicle used by a booting company, during use, must be equipped with: (1) A prominent and conspicuous display on both sides of the vehicle showing the booting company's business name, business telephone number and dispatch telephone number. No identification or insignia shall be used, and no wording shall be used, that would reasonably cause a person to confuse the booting company with any public law enforcement agency. (b) Each person conducting booting operations within the city shall wear outside of his or her clothing an identification card clearly displaying the person's photograph, name and business name. No identification or insignia shall be worn, and no wording shall be used, that would reasonably cause a person to confuse the booting company with any public law enforcement agency. (Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.050 Disposition of personal property.

Sec. 6.10.050. - Disposition of personal property. (a) The operator of a tow car or booting company shall not use or hold any cargo or personal property as a bailment for the rates and charges incurred in the towing or booting of a vehicle, except that cargo may be held as security for payment of charges associated with cleaning the area where cargo has spilled or for loading, transporting, securing or storing the cargo or personal property. (b) The operator of the tow car shall ensure that all property which comes into his possession because of the operation of a tow car is adequately protected. Any personal property in a towed vehicle must be released to the owner of the vehicle or his agent upon request. (c) Accessories and equipment for the vehicle shall be deemed part of the vehicle rather than personal property for the purposes of this section. (d) Cargo and personal property left unclaimed when final disposition is made of the associated vehicle may be sold or otherwise disposed of by the operator of a booting or tow car. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.060 Prohibited acts.

Sec. 6.10.060. - Prohibited acts. (a) The operator of a tow car shall not drive upon the streets or highways or drive through parking lots searching for the opportunity to tow. (b) The operator of a tow car or booting company shall not give any remuneration or other consideration to any person who requests, authorizes or in any way notifies the operator of a potential tow or boot. Providing signs to a property owner which displays the name, address and telephone number of the operator of a tow car or booting company is not remuneration for the purposes of the section. (c) A booting company shall not boot a vehicle on public property within the limits of the city, unless directed to do so by a law enforcement agency. (d) Under no circumstances shall a vehicle be immobilized in any manner in any marked fire lane, in any red zone, in any travel lane of a roadway, in front of or immediately adjacent to a fire hydrant, fire connection or building emergency exit, or in any area where such booting would cause a hazard to the public safety, health or welfare. (e) A vehicle shall not be immobilized as parked in the vehicular entrance to or exit from a parking lot. (f) Any ambulance, police, fire or any emergency vehicle, as that term is defined by NRS Chapter 484, shall not be immobilized. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 4830, § 3, 1-13-98; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.065 Booting and towing company general conduct.

Sec. 6.10.065. - Booting and towing company general conduct. (a) Booting by periodic check or by individual request: (1) Booting companies may contract with private property owners to perform periodic property checks. A booting company so employed must use an independent dispatch service to track the booting company's activities in performance of its contract, including recording the vehicles booted and the relevant time entries for booting. The booting company shall call the dispatch service upon the initial identification of a violation and provide the service with the license number and make and model of the vehicle intended to be booted. A period of at least ten minutes must elapse between the time of notification of the dispatch service and placement of the boot on the offending vehicle. Upon placement of the boot, the booting company shall notify the dispatch service of the time the boot was placed. Designation of times by the dispatch service must be accurately entered at the time of each booting company call, verifiable and not entered only in anticipation of compliance with the timing requirements of this Section. (2) Private property owners, or those in legal possession of private property, or their authorized agents, may use the services of a licensed towing or booting company to address individual parking violations. The service must be specifically requested for each incident through a dispatch service, and a tow service or booting company properly dispatched on each occasion. The time of the call shall be logged by an independent dispatch service, and an authorization slip to boot or tow must be signed by the property owner or his agent that indicates the time the boot is placed on the vehicle or the vehicle is towed. A period of at least ten minutes must elapse between the time of the logged property owner request and the placement of the boot or towing apparatus on the vehicle. The name and business address of the requesting individual must be entered on the bill. The person requesting and authorizing the tow or boot must remain present while the towing or booting is being performed. Designation of times by the dispatch service must be accurately entered at the time of each booting company call, verifiable and not entered only in anticipation of compliance with the timing requirements of this Section. (b) Upon installation of a boot, the booting company shall affix a blaze orange warning placard or sticker to the center of the driver's side window or to the front windshield directly in front of the steering wheel to the booted vehicle. The sticker or placard must be no smaller than 44 square inches and must clearly and legibly state that a locking device has been installed on the vehicle, state that attempting to move the vehicle will cause serious damage to the vehicle, display the date and time the vehicle was booted, display the booting company's business name, business telephone number and dispatch telephone number. A release or waiver of any kind appearing on a warning decal purporting to limit or avoid liability for damages to a vehicle that has been booted is not valid. Upon payment of the service fee, the booting company shall offer to remove the decal and shall have in possession the appropriate materials to remove the decal and residue. (c) Beginning upon the time a vehicle owner requests from a booting company or its dispatch to release a vehicle, a booting company must respond within 45 minutes to the booted vehicle. The dispatch service shall be notified by the booting company of the time of arrival at the booted vehicle, and the time of arrival shall not be recorded as sooner than the booting company's vehicle being parked at the booted vehicle. (d) Thereafter, upon payment of the charge for booting, the booting company shall immediately release the booted vehicle. (e) If a vehicle owner arrives to his or her vehicle prior to the running of the ten minute waiting period for booting, the vehicle owner shall be permitted to remove his or her vehicle without installation of a boot and without assessment of a charge against him or her. (Ord. No. 6097, § 1, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.070 Requirements for towing, booting and storing towed motor vehicles, cargo and personal property.

Sec. 6.10.070. - Requirements for towing, booting and storing towed motor vehicles, cargo and personal property. (a) In towing, booting or storing a towed motor vehicle, cargo and personal property, the operator shall: (1) Treat original and substituted accessories and equipment of the motor vehicle as part of the vehicle rather than personal property. (2) Protect from theft and personal damage a towed motor vehicle, cargo and personal property which comes into his possession as a result of a tow. (3) Provide access during normal business hours to motor vehicles which were towed by the owner or the agent of the owner. The operator of a tow car shall not deny the vehicle owner access to the vehicle unless required to do so by a law enforcement agency. No charges shall be levied for the first visit or to pick up a vehicle during regular business hours. Additional charges will apply after the first visit. (4) Establish procedures that allow the vehicle owner of a towed motor vehicle access to the vehicle or to obtain the release of the vehicle during those periods in which the operator is not normally open for such transactions. (5) Afford the vehicle owner the opportunity to inspect and inventory the vehicle before release to detect damage or theft of property while vehicle was in the custody of the tow company. If damage or theft is detected, the operator shall: a. Resolve the complaint to the satisfaction of the claimant; or b. Identify the carrier of its insurance and explain the procedure for filing a claim. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.080 Booting companies required to inform owner of booted motor vehicle to the right to file complaint with city clerk or authorized agent.

Sec. 6.10.080. - Booting companies required to inform owner of booted motor vehicle to the right to file complaint with city clerk or authorized agent. A booting company shall inform each vehicle owner of a booted motor vehicle that the owner or agent may file a complaint with the City of Reno regarding any violation of RMC, NRS, or any other applicable law. The booting company shall give the person paying a bill information on the procedures for filing complaints, including all contact information for the City of Reno call center through which complaints are submitted. The information regarding the right to file a complaint shall be provided in writing. This information may be printed on a separate document to be given to the person in possession of a booted motor vehicle, and may be printed on the bill for booting if it is in a prominent place on the bill in ten-point or larger type. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.090 Circumstances under which charges prohibited.

Sec. 6.10.090. - Circumstances under which charges prohibited. (a) For boots or tows other than those requested by a law enforcement officer, no charges may be assessed against the vehicle owner under the following circumstances, and any charges so paid must be returned by the operator: (1) If either the person who requested the boot or tow was not the owner of the real property from which the vehicle was towed or his authorized agent or if, in the case of an unrequested boot or tow, the boot or tow company was not licensed as a private patrolman or security guard and had a contract to act as such by the owner of the property upon which the tow or boot occurred. (2) The property from which the boot or tow was made was required by statute, ordinance or NAC to have particular signs displayed and there were no such signs. (3) In the case of a parking facility that charges a fee, the operator of the facility did not comply with provisions of NRS, RMC, NAC or any other applicable law. (4) In the case of tow cars, notification of the appropriate law enforcement agency pursuant to RMC 6.10.140 was not made. (5) If the booting company fails to respond to the booted vehicle within 45 minutes after the vehicle owner requests release of a booted vehicle. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.100 Conditions for person other than owner of a motor vehicle to request booting or towing.

Sec. 6.10.100. - Conditions for person other than owner of a motor vehicle to request booting or towing. (a) If booting or towing is individually requested by a person other than the vehicle owner or a law enforcement officer: (1) The person requesting the boot or tow must be the owner of the real property from which the vehicle is to be booted or towed or his authorized agent and must sign a specific request for towing or booting. For the purposes of this section, the operator is not an authorized agent of the owner of the real property unless such company is a licensed private patrolman or security guard under contract with the owner or the person in lawful possession of the property. (2) The area from which the vehicle is to be booted or towed must be appropriately posted in accordance with state or local requirements. (3) Notice must be given to the appropriate law enforcement agency pursuant to state and local requirements. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.110 Bills for towing or booting.

Sec. 6.10.110. - Bills for towing or booting. (a) The operator of a tow car or booter shall itemize on the bill for towing or booting each rate used or fee charged to compute the total bill. All charges must be substantiated in writing and attached to the bill. In addition to the rates and fees, each bill must contain: (1) The name, address, telephone number of the operator of the tow car or booting company; (2) The address of the facility where the towed vehicle is stored, if it is different from the address of the operator of the tow car; (3) The date and time of the request for towing or booting, including a designation of "a.m." or "p.m."; (4) The name, address and, if available, signature of the person requesting that the vehicle be towed or booted, except for a boot or tow pursuant to a law enforcement officer, the signature of the person requesting the boot or tow must be affixed to the bill; (5) The name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle if available; (6) The name and address of the person responsible for paying the charges incurred in towing or booting the vehicle, if available; (7) The model, make, VIN, number of the license plate, state of registration and year of manufacture of the vehicle, if available; (8) The exact location from which the vehicle is towed or booted; (9) The exact location to which the vehicle was initially towed if different from the address of the facility where the vehicle is stored; (10) The time when the tow car or booter was sent to the vehicle and for the tow cars; (11) The time of the arrival of the tow car or booter at the site of the vehicle to be towed or booted and the reading on the odometer at its arrival; (12) For placement of a boot, the actual time the boot was placed and called to the independent dispatch service; (13) The time of the departure of the tow car or booter from the site of the vehicle to be towed or booted; (14) The time of the arrival of the tow car at the location to which the vehicle was towed and the reading of the odometer upon its arrival; (15) A statement of the total charges; and (16) For placement of a boot, the notice to the public that there must be a ten minute delay between the identification of the violation, whether by private property owner or by a booting company performing a periodic check, and the application of the boot. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 4830, § 4, 1-13-98; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.120 Forms for billing; distribution, maintenance and inspection of bills.

Sec. 6.10.120. - Forms for billing; distribution, maintenance and inspection of bills. (a) The forms to be used for billing must be preprinted and numbered. The operator shall account for each such numbered form. (b) A copy of the bill for towing or booting must be given to the person paying the rates and charges. The operator shall retain a copy of each bill for three years. The operator shall, upon request, open his books for inspection and audit by the finance director, chief of police or other authorized designee, during normal business hours. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.130 Logs for dispatch.

Sec. 6.10.130. - Logs for dispatch. (a) A tow or booting operator shall maintain a log for dispatch which contains the following information for towing or booting: (1) The date and time of the request for towing or booting, including a designation of the "a.m." or "p.m."; (2) The name and address of the person requesting that a vehicle be towed or booted; and (3) The model, make, VIN, number of the license plate, state of registration and year of manufacture of the towed or booted vehicle, if available. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.140 Notice of towing and storage.

Sec. 6.10.140. - Notice of towing and storage. The operator of a tow car shall notify the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the site from which the vehicle was towed of the make, model and license number of each vehicle towed under Category C within one hour after the vehicle is towed. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.150 Disclosure of business interest.

Sec. 6.10.150. - Disclosure of business interest. (a) The operator of a towing or booting business shall file a complete disclosure with the chief of police or his designee, and the city business licensing division, detailing any business interest he or his employees, family members or partners in other businesses may have in any: (1) Facility for the repair of vehicles; (2) Parking facility; (3) Business which manages property; (4) Business providing parking services; (5) Wrecking yards or parts sales or distribution; or (6) Auto pawn businesses. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.160 Prohibited acts concerning recommendations of facilities for repair.

Sec. 6.10.160. - Prohibited acts concerning recommendations of facilities for repair. An operator of a tow car shall not solicit or accept any remuneration or consideration in any form from any person which is to influence the operator's decision concerning where a vehicle is to be taken for repairs. Any remuneration or other consideration given to the operator of a tow car by any person in the business of repairing vehicles shall be deemed to be for that purpose. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.170 Agreements for private property removal or booting services.

Sec. 6.10.170. - Agreements for private property removal or booting services. A copy of any written agreement for private property removal or booting must be on file and available for review in the operator's office. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.180 Other required duties by law.

Sec. 6.10.180. - Other required duties by law. All operators must comply with the requirements of NRS, NAC or other state, local or federal laws and are subject to prosecution for such violations. (Ord. No. 4754, § 1, 6-10-97)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.190 Acceptable methods of payment.

Sec. 6.10.190. - Acceptable methods of payment. (a) The booting company shall not demand that payment be made only in cash. (1) The booting company shall allow the vehicle owner the additional ability to pay with cashier's check, money order, or major credit card in accordance with the generally accepted business practices of the community. (2) The booting company may also allow other forms of lawful payment including personal check, electronic check or entering into a contract with the vehicle owner to make payment arrangements at a later date without being subjected to further costs or other enforcement action, if the vehicle owner fulfills his or her obligations under the contract. (Ord. No. 4830, § 5, 1-13-98; Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.200 Service fees.

Sec. 6.10.200. - Service fees. (a) For a single booting incident, the booting company may collect no more than $100.00 for the first 24 hours during which the boot is installed on the vehicle. (1) After the first 24-hour period has elapsed, and for each subsequent 24-hour period during which the boot is installed on the vehicle, the booting company may collect no more than $25.00. (b) The booting company may not charge or collect, or attempt to charge or collect, a service fee if a vehicle is subsequently towed by a towing company. (c) The booting company may not charge or collect, or attempt to charge or collect, any fees, costs or charges related to a booting except the service fee specified in this section. (Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.210 Location of demand and collection.

Sec. 6.10.210. - Location of demand and collection. A booting company may demand and collect the fee for booting only in the immediate proximity of the booted vehicle. (Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 6.10.220 Civil liability of owner of private property.

Sec. 6.10.220. - Civil liability of owner of private property. (a) If the owner of private property or his agent authorizes a booting by signing a printed authorization slip or by contract with the booting company for periodic parking enforcement, the owner of the property is liable to the vehicle owner for: (1) Any damage or loss to the booted vehicle or its contents arising from the booting of the vehicle, including damage resulting from attempting to drive a booted vehicle that does not have the required warning placard or sticker securely affixed thereto. (2) Any civil judgment incurred by the booting company or its employees or agents for any violation of this chapter pertaining to the booted vehicle. (Ord. No. 6097, § 2, 3-11-09)

Source: City of Reno, Nevada, Administrative Code, City Charter and Annexation and Land Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nv/reno/codes/administrative_code?nodeId=PT2READCO_TIT6VETR_CH6.10TOBOCOFetched: 11/1/2026