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SBSD Tow Service Agreement

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SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT TOW SERVICE AGREEMENT

This Tow Service Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of participation in the SBSD Rotation Tow Program. Compliance with all terms and conditions is mandatory for participating tow companies.

Participation in the program is voluntary, but operators must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and procedures established by the SBSD and the County of San Bernardino.

By completing and signing this form, the operator acknowledges understanding and acceptance of the agreement, attachments, addenda, and inspection requirements.

25. OPERATOR APPROVAL

I certify that I have read and understand this TSA and agree to abide by all of its provisions.

I further agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the County of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and their officers, agents, employees, and volunteers from any and all claims and losses accruing or resulting to the operator in connection with the performance of this Agreement.

The terms of this TSA will become effective on and end on .

Signature

Typed Name

Company

Title

Date

Business Address

Phone Number

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I have received a copy of ATTACHMENTS A, B, C and D.

Signature

Company Name

APPLICATION FOR TOW SERVICE AGREEMENT

Please complete this application and attach clear, current copies of the business license, towing insurance, and tow truck registration(s).

Company Name

Company Address

Mailing Address

Storage Facility Address

Company Phone

Owner Information

Name

Home Address

Home Phone

Cellular Phone

Pager

Social Security Number

CDL

Date of Birth

Vehicle Information

List the make, model, license plate number, type, and class of tow truck(s).

Make Model License Number Type Class GVWR

Driver(s) Information

Name D.O.B. C.D.L. Soc. Sec. #

Page 2 Questions

Check all that apply:

1. Currently established on CHP Tow Rotations? Yes No

2. Auto Club Affiliations? Yes No

3. Do you have 24-hour service? Yes No

4. Have you or anyone financially involved with your company ever been convicted of a felony involving stolen or embezzled vehicles, stolen property, fraud related to any towing business? Yes No

5. Is your storage yard fenced? Yes No

6. Is secure storage available? Yes No

7. Are your storage facilities alarmed? Yes No

8. Do you or any member of your family operate another tow company currently operating within San Bernardino County? Yes No

9. Do you share any facility (or portion thereof) with another tow company? Yes No

If yes, please provide a detailed description:

10. Primary storage address: Owned Leased Rented

11. Secondary storage address: Owned Leased Rented

12. Hourly Rate

Inside Storage Rates

Outside Storage Rates

13. Years in the towing business?

I declare under penalty of perjury that the above information is true and correct.

Owner's Signature

Date

ADDENDUM TO TOW SERVICE AGREEMENT

The following clarifications will be added to the tow service agreement. All companies applying to be on the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department station rotation tow list must sign and adhere to the following addendum.

1. Response Times

The operator shall respond to SBSD calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the maximum response time established by the local station commander.

Any operator must respond to the scene of an incident within minutes of notification.

2. Tow Companies Rotation

When any provision of the agreement conflicts with any city ordinance or written station policy, the conflicting city ordinance or written policy shall apply.

The station commander has established separate rotation tow lists for each class of tow truck to ensure an equitable distribution of calls.

3. Number of Companies Allowed

The station commander has directed that there will be no more than companies on the station tow rotation list.

I certify that I have read and understand this addendum and agree to abide by all of its provisions.

Signature

Company Name

TOW SERVICE AGREEMENT SUMMARY

Tow Service

Address

Phone

Tow Inspection Complete Yes / No

Tow Application Complete Yes / No

Prior Law Enforcement Tow Rotation Experience Points

Tow Inspection Points

Total Points

Supervisor Review

Supervisor Signature

Employee #

Date

TOW INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Tow Inspection Checklist Date

Tow Company

Address

Phone

Deputy Doing Inspection

Employee #

Vehicle Inspection

Truck License Class Pass Fail

Driver’s License Check

Name/DOB CDL# Information Provided - Yes Information Provided - No

Tow Inspection Continued

Storage Facility Points

Record Keeping (all aspects)

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What the SBSD Tow Service Agreement Is and Covers

SBSD Tow Service Agreement is a standardized contractual form used to authorize, document, and govern the towing, storage, and release of motor vehicles. It identifies the towing provider and the vehicle owner or authorized agent; describes the reason for removal, vehicle description (make, model, color, VIN), location and date of tow; itemizes charges for towing, storage, and administrative fees; sets storage and lien procedures; allocates liability and indemnity; and includes signature blocks for authorization and release. The form may be executed on paper or electronically where permitted by applicable law.

Why a Clear SBSD Tow Service Agreement Matters

A clear SBSD Tow Service Agreement documents authorization, fees, custody, and release processes to reduce disputes and exposure. It supports lawful lien procedures, gives insurers and impound operators evidence for claims, and clarifies responsibilities for vehicle owners and property managers.

Why a Clear SBSD Tow Service Agreement Matters

Typical Parties Who Complete the Agreement

SBSD Tow Service Agreement is completed by parties involved in vehicle removal, custody, and billing to establish authorization and responsibilities.

  • Towing company operator who executes the tow and documents charges and inventory.
  • Property owner or manager authorizing removal from private property and accepting billing obligations.
  • Vehicle owner, registered owner, or insurer providing consent or disputing fees.

Include contact and emergency details to speed release and provide a clear point of responsibility.

Core Elements to Include in the Agreement

This section outlines the essential components of an SBSD Tow Service Agreement so parties know what to include for enforceability and operational clarity.

Parties

Name each contracting party with full legal names, business entity type, and contact information to establish who has authority and legal responsibility under the agreement.

Scope of Services

Describe towing services provided, including equipment used, distance limits, service hours, storage procedures, and special handling for disabled or oversized vehicles.

Fees

Itemize towing, storage, administrative, release, and lien-sale fees; include daily storage rates, payment deadlines, and consequences for nonpayment to avoid ambiguity.

Storage & Release

Set procedures for vehicle inventory, notice to owner, acceptable identification for release, payment verification, and handling of personal property found in the vehicle.

Liability

Allocate responsibility for damage, theft, or loss; include insurance requirements, indemnity clauses, limitations of liability, and procedures for dispute resolution consistent with state law.

Dispute Resolution

Include governing law, venue, and whether claims proceed by arbitration or court; specify attorney fees and any required notice periods before litigation.

Step-by-Step: Completing the SBSD Tow Service Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to complete the SBSD Tow Service Agreement accurately and preserve evidence for custody and billing.

  • 01
    Collect Details: Enter vehicle VIN, plate, make, model, color, and odometer reading.
  • 02
    Identify Authorizer: Record name, relationship to vehicle, and contact information.
  • 03
    Document Reason: Describe why vehicle was towed and the location/time of removal.
  • 04
    Sign & Date: Signer signs, prints name, and dates the agreement; witness if required.

How the Tow Authorization and Release Workflow Operates

This flow shows how a tow is authorized, documented, stored, and resolved under an SBSD Tow Service Agreement.

  • Authorize Tow: Owner, property manager, or officer authorizes removal.
  • Inventory Vehicle: Record condition, personal items, and odometer reading.
  • Store & Notify: Send notice to registered owner per state rules.
  • Release or Lien: Release after payment or commence lien sale process.

Digital Workflow Settings for SBSD Tow Service Agreement

Configure online workflows to capture authorization, attach inventories, trigger owner notices, and record audit trails for each SBSD Tow Service Agreement.

Field Configuration
Notification Method Email, SMS, or certified mail; choose state-compliant option.
Authentication Email link, SMS code, or ID upload for strong verification.
Template Prepopulate vehicle, fee, and signature fields to reduce errors.
Retention Rule Archive signed PDF and audit trail for required period.

Platform Requirements for Secure eSigning and Records

Choose a platform that supports secure eSigning, audit trails, and common integrations for records and billing.

  • File Types: PDF, DOCX, and images supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite, Box
  • Notarization: Remote Notary options where available

Security and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Timestamp, IP, and action history
Access Controls: Role-based access and two-factor
HIPAA BAA: Available where PHI involved
Compliance Certifications: SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS
File Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML supported

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

  • Incomplete vehicle identifiers (missing VIN or plate) create disputes about which vehicle was towed and can delay release or escalate to litigation.
  • Ambiguous authorization language permits conflicting interpretations of who authorized the tow and who is liable for fees and damages.
  • Failing to document property inventoried in the vehicle leads to claims for missing personal items and increases insurer involvement.
  • Not providing timely notice to registered owners risks invalidating lien procedures and may expose the operator to regulatory penalties.

Key Risks and Potential Consequences

Unauthorized Release: Civil liability and recovery costs
Missing Authorization: Invalid release; potential fines
Incorrect Fees: Chargeback and collection risk
Improper Notice: Lien sale challenges
Invalid Signature: Enforceability disputes
Data Retention Failure: HIPAA or IRS penalties possible

Typical Timing and Deadlines to Track

Key timelines determine notices, redemption periods, and deadlines for lien sale or release — these vary by state and circumstance.

Owner Notice Deadline:

Typically immediately; many states require notice within 24–72 hours.

Daily Storage Fee Accrual:

Storage fees typically accrue daily from date of tow.

Redemption Period:

Owners often have 15–30 days to redeem before lien sale.

Lien Sale Filing:

After notice window and redemption period, operator may file for lien sale.

Record Retention:

Keep signed agreements and audit trails for statutory period.

Milestone Sequence: From Tow to Disposition

Sequential milestones show the lifecycle of a tow from removal through potential lien sale or release.

01

Removal & Tow

Vehicle removed and towed; initial inventory and incident report created.

02

Owner Notification

Notice sent to registered owner and identified contacts per state law.

03

Storage Accrual

Daily storage charges accumulate until release or sale.

04

Disposition

If unclaimed, commence lien sale or lawful disposal per statute.

Baseline eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Baseline vendor pricing and feature availability for common eSignature plans; signNow appears first for straightforward comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Practical Examples of Agreement Use

Two practical scenarios show how an SBSD Tow Service Agreement clarifies authorization, evidence, and disposition in common towing operations.

Municipal Impound

A city towing unit documents a vehicle removed for abandoned parking after posted notices and officer authorization.

  • Inventory and owner contact recorded immediately.
  • The signed agreement, timestamped notices, and documented inventory supported a lawful lien sale, permitted clear transfer of title, and avoided protracted litigation by providing decisive evidence for the administrative hearing.

Private Property Tow

A shopping center orders removal of a blocking vehicle after written authorization from property management and photographic evidence of obstruction.

  • Fee schedule and release conditions stated.
  • Clear authorization and a posted tow policy, combined with a signed agreement and photographic evidence, established financial liability, allowed prompt release upon payment, and reduced administrative delays and insurer disputes.

Practical Best Practices for Accurate Agreements

Adopt these practical practices to keep SBSD Tow Service Agreements accurate, enforceable, and defensible across jurisdictions and incidents.

Use Standardized Templates
Maintain a single standard agreement template that includes required state-specific clauses, fee tables, and signature blocks; update annually or when local rules change to avoid discrepancies and reduce legal exposure during lien proceedings.
Prepopulate Known Fields
Where possible, auto-fill known owner, vehicle, and property fields from reliable records to reduce data-entry errors; use validation rules like VIN checksum and required field enforcement to prevent incomplete submissions.
Record Evidence Thoroughly
Photograph vehicle condition, record odometer, and keep audio-video for RON notarizations; timestamp and store evidence alongside the signed agreement to support chain-of-custody and defend against theft or damage claims.
Train Staff on Procedures
Provide regular training on authorization protocols, owner notification requirements, fee calculation, and digital signing workflows so employees consistently collect legally sufficient consent and preserve admissible records.

Representative Users and Their Responsibilities

Towing Operator

A towing operator or company manager responsible for executing tows uses the agreement to record authorization, inventory the vehicle, calculate fees, and provide documented notice. They must ensure signatures, preserve audit trails, and follow state lien-sale procedures to minimize liability.

Property Manager

A property manager or owner authorizing removal uses the agreement to document authorization, cite posted or written notices, and record contact information; accurate signing helps establish property rights and supports collection of fees or defense of any subsequent owner claims.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Clear answers to common questions about execution, eSigning, notarization, notice timing, and dispute handling for the SBSD Tow Service Agreement.


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