For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
"ABANDONED VEHICLE." As authorized and defined in G.S. § 160A-303, a motor vehicle that:
(1) Is left upon a public street or highway in violation of a law or ordinance prohibiting parking;
(2) Is left on a public street or highway for longer than seven days;
(3) Is left on property owned or operated by the city for longer than 24 hours; or
(4) Is left on private property without the consent of the owner, occupant or lessee thereof, for longer than two hours.
"AUTHORIZING OFFICIAL." The City Manager or designee(s) designated to authorize the removal of vehicles under the provisions of this chapter.
"JUNKED MOTOR VEHICLE." As authorized and defined in G.S. § 160A-303.2, a vehicle that does not lawfully display a current license plate, and that:
(1) Is partially dismantled or wrecked;
(2) Cannot be self-propelled or moved in the manner in which it originally was intended to move; or
(3) Is more than five years old and appears to be worth less than $500.
"MOTOR VEHICLE" or "VEHICLE." All machines designed or intended to travel over land by self-propulsion or while attached to any self-propelled vehicle.
"NUISANCE VEHICLE." A vehicle on public or private property that is determined and declared to be a health or safety hazard, a public nuisance, and unlawful, including a vehicle found to be:
(1) A breeding ground or harbor for mosquitoes, other insects, rats or other pests;
(2) A point of heavy growth of weeds or other noxious vegetation over 14 inches in height;
(3) A point of collection of pools or ponds of water;
(4) A point of concentration of quantities of gasoline, oil, or other flammable or explosive materials as evidenced by odor;
(5) One which has areas of confinement which cannot be operated from the inside, such as trunks, hoods, and the like;
(6) So situated or located that there is danger of it falling or turning over;
(7) One which is a point of collection of garbage, food waste, animal waste, or other rotten or putrescible matter of any kind;
(8) One which has sharp parts thereof which are jagged or contain sharp edges of metal or glass; or
(9) Any other vehicle specifically declared a health and safety hazard and a public nuisance by the City Council.
(Ord. 94-35, passed 12-5-94; Am. Ord. 02-47, passed 11-4-02; Am. Ord. 16-35, passed 9-19-16)