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:

Abandoned motor vehicle means any abandoned vehicle or part thereof which is subject to removal pursuant to article III of this chapter.

Director of public works means the director of public works or designee.

Emergency tow service request means any request by the police department for tow service where the motor vehicle to be towed constitutes or creates an immediate hazard to moving traffic or constitutes or creates an immediate hazard to the safety of the public or in any case in which a police officer calling for tow service from the scene where it is required is exposed to danger on account of riot or civil commotion.

Motor vehicle means a vehicle which is self-propelled.

Private tow service operator means any person who engages in the business of towing motor vehicles, other than those towed at the request of the police department or director of public works.

Police tow operator means any person holding a license under this article to engage in the business of towing motor vehicles at the request of the police department or director of public works.

Wrecker means a person whose primary function or one of whose primary functions consists of commercially offering services in the city whereby motor vehicles are towed or otherwise moved from or near the place of a collision or disablement by use of a truck or other vehicle designed for or adapted to that purpose. (Code 1979, § 37-90; Ord. No. 2016-34, § 10, 8-8-2016)