Definitions.

Huntsville Code of Ordinances § 25-71

in effect

Sec. 25-71. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Applicant means the operator of a wrecker service who, after being advised of the requirements and regulations for participation therein, makes known his/her desire to voluntarily participate in the city's rotation roster by making application for the same. Chief or police chief shall refer to the chief of the city police department or his/her designee. City means the City of Huntsville. Contract wrecker shall mean that wrecker company which has contracted with the city to provide wrecker services requested by the City of Huntsville, for public safety reasons, as opposed to wrecker services requested by a private individual. Department means the city police department. Disabled vehicle means any vehicle which has lost its ability of self-propulsion or its ability to be transported or drawn on a public street by normal methods other than by a wrecker. Fire department emergency incident commander means the highest ranking fire department official who is in charge of hazardous material incidents and other emergency situations which may arise while executing the mission of the fire department, duties include but are not limited to the following: management decisions related to personnel, equipment, procedures, etc., at the scene of any emergency incident. Fire extinguisher shall mean a portable device used for extinguishing fires as defined by the National Board of Fire Underwriters, dry chemical extinguisher with either a 5-B.C. or 10-B.C. rating and underwriters laboratory approval in a quick release carrier which is capable of extinguishing fires. Large wreckers shall be classified as any of the following types of wreckers: Tandem dual wheel or tandem rear end wreckers, or twin booms with factory rated or tested lifting capacity of 12.5 tons or over per drum and per winch and per winch line, with dual drum capacity, hydraulic or power take-off driven, and shall be equipped with dual rear twin-screw axles, and shall be equipped with quick air couplings for towing vehicles with air brakes, and shall be utilized to tow any vehicle having a gross vehicle weight exceeding 10,000 pounds, or any vehicle having dual rear axles or any tractor-trailer combination. The wrecker company shall provide documentation of lifting capacity from the factory or qualified testing facility. Motor vehicle shall mean every vehicle which is self-propelled. Owner means any person who holds a legal title to a motor vehicle or who has the legal right of possession thereof. Person means any individual, partnership or association, syndicate, company, firm, trust, corporation, department, bureau, agency, business, bank, or any entity recognized by law. Place of business shall mean the place where the wrecker company conducts business and is licensed pursuant to municipal law. Police officer means any duly sworn law enforcement officer employed by the city. Repossession wrecker shall mean any wrecker or large wrecker, as defined herein, used for the sole purpose of repossessing vehicles. Repossession wrecker shall include vehicles commonly referred to as "snatch trucks," as well as any and all motor vehicles used to tow or remove any vehicle from one location to another. Repossession wrecker shall not apply to wreckers used for the dual purpose of performing regular wrecker services and repossession services. Repossessor shall mean any person in the business of providing repossession services to others or who performs repossession services on its own behalf, and includes, but is not limited to, officers, managers, agents or employees thereof. Rotation roster means the rotation list of wrecker companies available for request by private individuals as prepared and used as provided in the execution of this chapter. Street means a thoroughfare including public streets, lanes, alleys, etc., within the city and its police jurisdiction which is reserved for vehicle traffic. Traffic hazard means any disabled vehicle, other than those resulting from a vehicular accident as defined herein, and which is an obstruction to the normal movement of traffic on any public street. Vehicle shall mean every device in or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public street, except devices moved only by human power, or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks, and shall include trailers and semi-trailers. Vehicular accident means any incident involving contact between a vehicle and any other object or vehicle which results in disabling damage to any vehicle requiring the services of a wrecker. Wrecker shall mean any motor vehicle used for the purpose of towing or removing motor vehicles from one location to another location, for any purpose. Wrecker business shall mean the act of towing or removing motor vehicles from one location to another location, for any reason, where either the beginning or ending location is within the city. This definition shall not include situations whereby a business owns or leases wreckers for the sole purpose of towing other vehicles owned or leased by the business. Wrecker company shall mean any person engaged in the wrecker business. Wrecker operator means any person who drives or otherwise uses a wrecker for wrecker business as defined herein. (Ord. No. 25-310, §§ 21—26, 4-24-2025)

Source: City of Huntsville, Alabama, publisher code (Municode) + enacted ordinances (City Council/Legistar)URL: https://library.municode.com/al/huntsville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH25TRVE_ARTIIADEN_DIV2VETOIM_S25-71DEFetched: 11/6/2026