TRN-17.01 - Private Property Impound Tower Registration

Purpose

This rule establishes the application requirements for Private Property Impound (PPI) companies seeking to be permitted to operate by the City.

Authority

Under the authority of Portland City Code (PCC) Chapter 3.12, the City Administrator may adopt administrative rules.

Definitions 

Certain terms used in this administrative rule are defined by PCC Section 7.24.030 (Definitions). 

Effective Date

This administrative rule takes effect February 15, 2026.

Policy

1.  Application

Towers seeking a Private Property Impound (PPI) permit must submit an application using a form approved by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Director.

The application must include: 

1. Proof of insurance coverage in the amounts specified in PCC Chapter 7.24, in the form of certificates of insurance naming the City and its officers, agents, and employees as additional insured entities. The applicant must also agree to give at least 30 calendar days' notice to the PBOT Director before a policy is canceled, expires, or has a reduction in coverage. Insurance coverage requirements include public liability and property damage insurance.
2. A list of all drivers, and 
3. Such other information as the Director may require.

2.  Retention and Inspection of Records

The PPI tower must, within 24 hours of receiving written notice, or by a date specified by the towing coordinator, provide such documentation as may be needed for investigation of towing practices. Such documentation may include, but will not be limited to, tow invoices, tow agreements, specific authorization, and photographs. Such documentation must be retained in retrievable form by the PPI tower for a minimum of 2 years after the date of the tow.

3.  Equipment and Facilities Inspections

1. Except as provided in PCC Chapter 7.24, the PPI tower must allow inspections of its  towing equipment, dispatching, release, and storage facilities, with 48-hour notice.
2. If any aspect of the insurance, equipment, dispatching, or release and storage facility does not comply with the requirements of PCC Chapter 7.24, at any time, the permit may be denied until all deficiencies are corrected.
3. Towing equipment. 
   1. All tow trucks used to perform PPI tows must be equipped as follows:
      1. Current registration and insurance documentation;
      2. Permanent identification on each side of the vehicle with the tow company name, city, state, and telephone number clearly marked in letters not less than 3 inches high; 
      3. A four-way emergency flashing system and at least one flashing amber light (or other color permitted by state law) at least 5 inches in diameter, mounted high on the tow vehicle;
      4. Upper and lower work lights; a light mounted behind the cab of the tow vehicle that is capable of illuminating the area of the tow under dark and foggy conditions;
      5. Tow lights, portable auxiliary brake lights, turn signals, and a tail light for use on towed vehicles. This requirement also applies to rollbed trucks capable of towing multiple vehicles at once;
      6. Tires, adequate in size and rating for the size and weight of the tow vehicle, with not less than 3/32nds inch of tread and mounted on rims secured with the correct number of lug bolts and nuts in accordance with factory specifications;
      7. Tow dollies. This requirement also applies to rollbed trucks capable of towing multiple vehicles at once;
      8. Two-way radio equipment or cellular telephone with "push to talk" (PTT) function, capable of communicating with the PPI tower's dispatcher at all times;
      9. Cellular telephone or other connected device for initiation of tows with City's dispatch contractor; and
      10. If a registered tow truck or other piece of equipment is found to be mechanically unsound, the Director may require the PPI tower to submit the truck or equipment to inspection by an ASE Certified Master Technician. The truck or equipment will not be approved for use until the PPI tower provides original documentation of having passed the inspection.
4. Dispatching facilities
   1. At minimum, the tower's dispatching facility must be maintained with equipment as follows:
      1. Communications device with "push to talk" (PTT) function capable of communicating with the PPI tower's tow vehicle(s) at all times;
      2. At least one dedicated phone number for customer service; and
      3. A PPI tower's dispatching facility may be located in two or more different locations or may be contracted to another firm, provided:
         1. At least one such location has a dispatcher on duty at all times.
         2. The contracted or secondary dispatcher can reach the PPI tower's primary dispatcher or other PPI tow company official at all hours.

4. Storage facilities 

1. All facilities used for storing and releasing vehicles towed from private property must:
   1. Be located within 5 miles of the city limits of Portland; 
   2. Be secure, protected and located within an enclosure at least six feet high topped with at least 3 strands of taut barbed wire; 
   3. Ensure that all gates, doors and other openings into the storage facility are equipped with locks and secured at all times; 
   4. Keep all trees, vines and shrubs trimmed to allow an unobstructed view of the entire fence and prevent unauthorized access into the storage lot; 
   5. Keep all fences, walls or surrounds free of holes or weak spots that could allow unauthorized entry; 
   6. Have the PPI tower's name, telephone number, address and regular business hours posted in a location clearly visible from the public right-of-way on a sign in letters not less than 3 inches high; 
   7. Have City-approved towing and storage rates for PPI towing posted in a conspicuous place in the location where release transactions occur so that they are readable by persons redeeming their vehicles; 
   8. Have the City's "Rights when Towed from Private Property" prominently displayed in the location where release transactions occur, so that they are readable by persons redeeming PPI towed vehicles; and
   9. Have a customer reception area that includes:
      1. Accommodations to serve persons with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
      2. A clearly marked entry that is clean, well-lit and free of debris;
      3. A clean, well-lit counter space for writing; and,
      4. Seating for at least one person while waiting to be served.