(A) (1) Whenever a vehicle with a valid registration plate or registration is towed as provided in G.S. § 20-219.10, the authorizing person shall immediately notify the last known registered owner of the vehicle of the following:
(a) A description of the vehicle;
(b) The place where the vehicle is stored;
(c) The violation with which the owner is charged, if any;
(d) The procedure the owner must follow to have the vehicle returned to him or her; and
(e) The procedure the owner must follow to request a probable cause hearing on the towing.
(2) If the vehicle has a North Carolina registration plate or registration, notice shall be given to the owner within 24 hours; if the vehicle is not registered in the state, notice shall be given to the owner within 72 hours. This notice shall, if feasible, be given by telephone. Whether or not the owner is reached by telephone, notice shall be mailed to his or her last known address unless he or she or his or her agent waives this notice in writing.
(B) Whenever a vehicle with neither a valid registration plate nor registration is towed as provided in G.S. § 20-219.10, the authorizing person shall make reasonable efforts, including checking the vehicle identification number, to determine the last known registered owner of the vehicle and to notify him or her of the information listed in division (A). Unless the owner has otherwise been given notice, it is presumed that the authorizing person has not made reasonable efforts, as required under this section, unless notice that the vehicle would be towed was posted on the windshield or some other conspicuous place at least 7 days before the towing actually occurred; except, no pretowing notice need be given if the vehicle impeded the flow of traffic or otherwise jeopardized the public welfare so that immediate towing was necessary.
(G.S. § 20-219.11) (Prior Code, § 90.04) (Ord. passed 8-4-1975)