(a) Except as set forth herein, any abandoned, junked or aesthetic junked motor vehicle which has been removed may, as directed by the police chief, be removed to a storage garage or area by the tow truck operator or towing business contracting to perform such services for the city. Whenever such a vehicle is removed, the police chief shall immediately notify the last known registered owner of the vehicle of the following:
(1) A description of the vehicle; and
(2) The place where the vehicle is stored; and
(3) The violation with which the owner is charged, if any, or the reason(s) for removal; and
(4) The procedure the owner must follow to have the vehicle returned to him; and
(5) The procedure the owner must follow to request a probable cause hearing on the towing.
(b) The authorizing official as set forth herein shall, if feasible, give notice to the vehicle owner by telephone; however, whether or not the owner is reached by telephone, written notice, including the information set forth in subsections (1) through (5) above, shall also be mailed to the registered owner's last known address, unless this notice is waived in writing by the vehicle owner or his agent.
(c) If the vehicle is registered in North Carolina, notice shall be given within 24 hours. If the vehicle is not registered in North Carolina, notice shall be given to the registered owner within 72 hours from the removal of the vehicle.
(d) Whenever a motor vehicle is towed under the provisions of this article, and such vehicle has neither a valid registration nor registration plates, the police chief shall make reasonable efforts including checking the vehicle identification number to determine the last known registered owner of the vehicle. Provided, however, the provisions of this section shall not apply to aesthetic junked motor vehicles for which the owner has exercised the right to appeal prior to the towing of the vehicle in accordance with section 10-36 of this article.
(Ord. No. 2373, § 1, 6-10-97)