Police officers are authorized to provide for the removal and impounding of a vehicle under the following circumstances:
(a) When any vehicle is left unattended as provided in Section 751.13 of this Traffic Code.
(b) When any vehicle or "abandoned junk motor vehicle" as defined in Ohio R.C. 4513.63 is left on private property for more than forty-eight consecutive hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, or on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, or upon or within the right-of-way of any road or highway, for forty-eight consecutive hours or longer, without notification to the Director of Public Safety or Chief of Police of the reasons for leaving such vehicle in such place. Prior to removal of an "abandoned junk motor vehicle" as defined in Ohio R.C. 4513.63, it shall be photographed by a law enforcement officer.
(c) When any vehicle has been stolen or operated without the consent of the owner.
(d) When any vehicle displays illegal license plates or fails to display the lawfully required license plates.
(e) When any vehicle has been used in or connected with the commission of a felony or a violation of Section 941.03 of the General Offenses Code.
(f) When any vehicle has been damaged or wrecked so as to be inoperable or violates equipment provisions of this Traffic Code whereby its continued operation would constitute a condition hazardous to life, limb or property.
(g) When any vehicle is left unattended due to the removal of an ill, injured or arrested operator.
(h) When any vehicle is found for which two or more citation tags for violations of this Traffic Code have been issued and the owner or operator thereof has failed to respond to such citation tags as lawfully required.
(i) When any vehicle is parked in such a way so as to block a private driveway.
(Ord. 88-57. Passed 4-18-88.)
(Ord. 88-57. Passed 4-18-88.)
(j) When any vehicle is parked in violation of Section 751.02 of this Traffic Code.
(Ord. 93-123. Passed 12-6-93.)
(Ord. 93-123. Passed 12-6-93.)
The Police Division shall forthwith notify the registered vehicle owner of the fact of such removal and impounding and reasons therefor. Any person desiring to redeem an impounded vehicle shall appear at the Police Division to furnish satisfactory evidence of identity and ownership or right to possession. Prior to release of the vehicle the claimant, owner or operator shall either pay the amount due for any fines for violations on account of which such vehicle was impounded or, as the court may require, furnish written promise or post a bond in an amount set by the court, to appear to answer to such violations. Such person shall also pay the established towing charges and storage charges levied by the City or the towing and storage agency used by the City. Vehicles unclaimed shall be disposed of as provided by Ohio R.C. 4513.60 to 4513.62.
(Ord. 88-57. Passed 4-18-88.)