* Editor’s note: For statutory provisions on local regulation of tow-car service, see Vehicle Code § 21100.

As used in this chapter:
A. “Tank vehicle” means any vehicle which, in the unincorporated territory of the county, either collects and transports, or transports and delivers flammable liquids or liquefied petroleum gases, or both, both as now or hereafter defined in the county fire code. A tank truck and tank trailer attached thereto shall be considered as only one vehicle.
B. “Tow truck” means any motor vehicle which has been altered or designed and equipped to tow a vehicle by means of a crane, hoist, tow bar, tow line or dolly, or to render assistance to other vehicles. (Ord. 6338 § 1 (part), 1953: Ord. 7269 § 4 (part), 1957: Ord. 5860 Ch. 2 Art. 15 §§ 705 and 708, 1951.)

If any person uses any motor vehicle, regardless of how designed or equipped, to tow or push any vehicle upon or along any public highway for any fee or reward, or accepts any gratuity therefor, then such vehicle shall be deemed to be a tow truck and such person shall be deemed to be engaged in the business of operating a tow truck along a public highway, and shall first procure a license as required by Section 7.28.030. (Ord. 7462 § 16, 1959: Ord. 5860 Ch. 2 Art. 15 § 705.5, 1951.)

Every person who, either as a separate business or in connection with or as a part of any business in which he is engaged, operates one or more tow trucks upon or along any public highway, except a tow truck which complies in all respects with Sections 22513, 24605, 25253, 27700 and 27907 of the Vehicle Code and for which a current license for regulation issued by a city within this county is in full force and effect, shall first procure a license and pay an annual fee in the amount set forth in Section 7.14.010 of this title, under the appropriate heading. (Ord. 11209 § 1 (part), 1975: Ord. 10800 § 1, 1974: Ord. 8608 § 1 (part), 1964: Ord. 8097 § 6 (part), 1961: Ord. 7462 § 17, 1959: Ord. 7269 § 4 (part), 1957: Ord. 5860 Ch. 2 Art. 15 § 706, 1951.)

Every person who, in connection with or as a part of any business in which he is engaged, operates a tank vehicle, for which operation a certificate declaring that public convenience and necessity require such operation, issued by the Public Utilities Commission of the state of California, is not in full force and effect, first shall procure a license and pay a license fee per year, per tank vehicle, in the amount set forth in Section 7.14.010 of this title, under the appropriate heading. (Ord. 11209 § 1 (part), 1975: Ord. 8608 § 1 (part), 1964: Ord. 7159 § 8 (part), 1957: Ord. 6338 § 1 (part), 1953: Ord. 6142 § 1 (part), 1953: Ord. 5860 Ch. 2 Art. 15 § 710, 1951.)