Any private storage lot or yard of a towing enterprise where inoperable or distressed motor vehicles are temporarily held for retrieval or redemption by their owner, whether such enterprise is a contractor for a Police Department precinct or not. Such storage yards shall not function as a junkyard; no stripping or dismantling or outdoor storage of parts is permitted; no sale of used auto parts is permitted; no stacking of vehicles is permitted. Towing service storage yards shall be considered a principal use of the land except when same vehicles are awaiting repairs or service at a facility located on the same zoning lot, in which case they operate as an accessory use of the land.| Any land use previously classified as a “Police Department authorized abandoned vehicle storage yard” shall now be considered a “Towing service storage yard” without need for issuance of any additional permit or change of use.|
Use regulations
(a) Towing service storage yards shall be subject to the following provisions: (1) All buildings, screening, and stored or abandoned vehicles shall be set back at least twenty (20) feet from any lot line abutting, across the street, or across the alley from land zoned R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, or residential PD; (2) As required by Sec. 61-14-231 of this Code, the twenty (20) foot setback area between the masonry wall and the lot line, where required, shall be landscaped in accordance with Sec. 61-14-232 and Sec. 61-14-237 of this Code; (3) A masonry wall that is not less than six (6) feet in height, shall be erected: (a) Between any storage and the twenty (20) foot setback area specified in subsection (1) of this section; and (b) At any lot line abutting, across the street, or across the alley from land zoned B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, non-industrial PD, P1, PC, PCA, PR, SD1, SD2, SD3, SD4, and SD5 ; (4) All ground surfaces within any towing service storage yard shall be covered with asphalt or concrete paving, or other material to create a firm, level surface that prevents the formation of dust and mud and is approved by the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department. Pervious surface treatments are encouraged, except that gravel, slag, cinder, or graded natural surfaces shall not be allowed; (5) No vertical stacking of abandoned vehicles shall be permitted; (6) The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department shall specify the maximum, appropriate number of abandoned vehicles to be stored given the area and configuration of the site; (7) The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department shall be authorized to obtain a performance guarantee as provided for in ARTICLE XIV, DIVISION 8 of this Chapter, in a sufficient amount, as determined by the Director of the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department.| (b) Any use previously classified as a “Police Department authorized abandoned vehicle yard” or a “Police Department authorized abandoned vehicle storage yard” shall now be considered a “Towing service storage yard” without need for issuance of an additional permit or change of use.|