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 Brookhaven
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 66. Towing Businesses

  § 66-8. Equipment and identification of tow trucks.  

Latest version.
  • A. 
    Tow trucks used to respond to calls from the nonaccident roster must be equipped at all times with:
    (1) 
    At least two emergency lights, one of which shall be affixed to each side of the rear of the tow truck or to each side of the rearmost part of the towed vehicle so as to be clearly visible on the highway to the rear.
    (2) 
    One authorized emergency light.
    (3) 
    A CO2 or dry-powder fire extinguisher with a minimum capacity of 10 pounds.
    (4) 
    At least one dozen red railroad-type flares or three triangles.
    [Amended 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 12-1990, effective 3-26-1990]
    (5) 
    Safety chains.
    (6) 
    A push bar.
    (7) 
    A shovel.
    (8) 
    A rigid tow bar.
    (9) 
    A lifting boom on the rear of the truck.
    (10) 
    A minimum one-and-one-half-ton power winch equipped with 150 feet of three-eighths-inch steel cable.
    (11) 
    Dolly wheels.
    B. 
    Tow trucks used to respond to calls from the light-duty roster must be equipped at all times with:
    [Amended 6-20-2006 by L.L. No. 12-2006, effective 6-26-2006]
    (1) 
    The equipment specified in Subsection A above.
    (2) 
    Dual rear wheels or a vehicle with four-wheel drive.
    (3) 
    A broom.
    (4) 
    A crowbar.
    (5) 
    A hacksaw.
    (6) 
    An ax.
    C. 
    Tow trucks used to respond to calls from the medium-duty roster must:
    [Amended 9-1-1987 by L.L. No. 21-1987; 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 12-1990, effective 3-26-1990; 6-20-2006 by L.L. No. 12-2006, effective 6-26-2006]
    (1) 
    At all times be equipped with the equipment specified in Subsection B above, except that, in addition, tow trucks responding to calls from the medium-duty roster must be equipped with a minimum one-and-one-half-ton power winch equipped with 150 feet of five-eighths-inch steel cable. Tow trucks responding to calls from the medium-duty roster shall not be required to have push bars or dolly wheels.
    (2) 
    Conform to the definition of "medium-duty tow truck" in § 66-2 above.
    D. 
    Equipment.
    [Added 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 12-1990, effective 3-26-1990; amended 6-20-2006 by L.L. No. 12-2006, effective 6-26-2006]
    (1) 
    A licensee on the heavy-duty roster must have the capability to respond to a call with the following minimum equipment:
    (a) 
    Two twenty-five-ton tow trucks.
    (b) 
    One sixteen-ton tow truck.
    (c) 
    One flatbed truck at least 16,000 pounds' gross vehicle weight (cargo removal).
    (d) 
    A set of twenty-ton recovery straps.
    (e) 
    One set of portable torches.
    (f) 
    One power chain saw.
    (g) 
    One power metal-blade saw.
    (h) 
    One set of four-ton porto powers.
    (i) 
    Four two-ton cable pullers (ratchet pullers).
    (j) 
    Four lengths of five-eighths-inch chain at least 15 feet in length.
    (k) 
    Four steel angle irons four inches by four inches by five feet long.
    (l) 
    Two aluminum angle irons four inches by four inches by five feet long.
    (m) 
    Four oak beams four inches by four inches at least five feet in length.
    (2) 
    In addition, the heavy-duty team of three tow trucks must be equipped with the equipment specified in Subsection C(1) above.
    E. 
    Flatbed car carrier.
    [Amended 12-15-1987 by L.L. No. 35-1987; 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 12-1990, effective 3-26-1990; 6-20-2006 by L.L. No. 12-2006, effective 6-26-2006]
    (1) 
    A flatbed car carrier may be used to respond to calls from the non-accident or light-duty roster if it is equipped at all times with:
    (a) 
    At least two emergency lights, one of which shall be affixed to each side of the rear of the tow truck or to each side of the rearmost part of the towed vehicle so as to be clearly visible on the highway to the rear.
    (b) 
    One authorized emergency light.
    (c) 
    A CO2 or dry-powder fire extinguisher with a minimum capacity of 15 pounds.
    (d) 
    At least one dozen red railroad-type flares.
    (e) 
    Safety chains.
    (f) 
    A shovel.
    (g) 
    A minimum one-and-one-half-ton power winch equipped with 100 feet of three-eighths-inch steel cable.
    (h) 
    Dual rear wheels or a vehicle with four-wheel drive.
    (i) 
    A broom.
    (2) 
    The following three items are necessary only if the flatbed car carrier is on the light-duty roster:
    (a) 
    A crowbar.
    (b) 
    A hacksaw.
    (c) 
    An ax.
    Editor's Note: This local law also provided for the redesignation of Subsections E through H as Subsections F through I.
    F. 
    Tow trucks used to respond to calls must be equipped at all times with the equipment specified in Subsection B, C, D or E above.
    [Amended 12-15-1987 by L.L. No. 35-1987]
    G. 
    The minimum equipment required in order for a tow truck to be licensed is:
    (1) 
    All equipment specified in Subsection A above, except Subsection A(11).
    (2) 
    A broom.
    H. 
    Every tow truck operated in connection with a licensee’s towing business in the Town must have inscribed on each side thereof, in legible letters not less than three inches high, the name and address of the licensee’s depot. Only the specific business called may send its tow truck from the depot designated on said truck.
    [Amended 6-20-2006 by L.L. No. 12-2006, effective 6-26-2006]
    I. 
    All vehicles subject to this chapter shall comply with all safety and equipment sections of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York, which are incorporated by reference herein.
    [Added 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 12-1990, effective 3-26-1990; amended 4-2-1996 by L.L. No. 13-1996, effective 4-17-1996]
    Editor's Note: Former Subsection I, which dealt with required equipment for tow trucks licensed for towing vehicles owned by the tow truck operator, was repealed 4-2-1996 by L.L. No. 13-1996, effective 4-17-1996. This local law also renumbered former Subsection J as Subsection I.