(A) If a motor vehicle is abandoned on a public street or highway, it shall be the duty and responsibility of the owner of the abandoned motor vehicle to cause the removal thereof immediately and to pay all costs incident to the removal. Unless subject to an exception from the requirements of this chapter, no person or entity shall allow an abandoned motor vehicle to remain on premises owned or occupied by said person or entity.
(B) Any abandoned motor vehicle found to be in violation of this chapter may be removed to a storage garage or area, but no such vehicle shall be removed from private property without the written request of the owner, lessee, or occupant of the premises unless the Town Manager or the Town Manager’s designee has first declared the abandoned motor vehicle to be a health or safety hazard.
(C) The Town Manager or the Town Manager’s designee may require any person requesting the removal of an abandoned motor vehicle from private property to indemnify the town against any loss, expense, or liability incurred because of the removal, storage, or sale thereof.
(D) When an abandoned motor vehicle is removed, the town shall give notice to the owner as required by G.S. § 20-219.11(a) and (b) as the same may be from time to time amended.
(E) The owner of an abandoned motor vehicle whose abandoned motor vehicle has been removed or disposed as provided for in this section shall have a right to a hearing as set out in § 93.10.
(F) As set out in G.S. § 160A-303(f), no person shall be held to answer in any civil or criminal action to an owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of any abandoned, lost, or stolen motor vehicle for disposing of the vehicle as provided in this section and as elsewhere set out in this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 1304)