For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED VEHICLES. A motor vehicle that:
(1) Has remained:
(a) For a period of more than 48 hours on any property owned or controlled by any unit of government or on any street or highway or more than four hours on that property when it is properly posted, or on private property for 30 days or more, without the consent of the person in control of the property; and
(b) Lacks vital component parts or is in inoperable condition such that it has no substantial potential for further use consistent with its usual functions, unless it is kept in an enclosed garage or storage building.
(2) Classic cars or pioneer cars as defined in M.S. § 168.10, as amended from time to time, are not considered abandoned vehicles. Vehicles on the premises of junk yards and automobile grave yards that are defined, maintained and licensed in accordance with M.S. § 161.242, as amended from time to time, or that are licensed and maintained in accordance with local laws and zoning regulations are not considered abandoned vehicles. A vehicle being held for storage by agreement or being held under police authority or pursuant to a writ or court order is not considered abandoned, nor may it be processed as abandoned while the police hold, writ or court order is in effect.
AGENCY. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
DEPARTMENT. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
IMPOUND. To take and hold the vehicle in legal custody. There are two types of impounds, public and non-public.
IMPOUND LOT OPERATOR or OWNER. A person who engages in impounding or storing, usually temporarily, unauthorized or abandoned vehicles.
JUNK VEHICLE. A motor vehicle that:
(1) Is three years old or older and is damaged, with the damage including such things as broken or missing wheels, motor, drive train or transmission;
(2) Is three years old or older and is apparently inoperable;
(3) Is three years old or older and does not have a valid current registration plate; or
(4) Has an approximate fair market value equal only to the approximate value of the scrap in it.
UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLE. A motor vehicle that:
(1) Is subject to removal and impoundment pursuant to M.S. § 169.041 or M.S. § 168B.04, subd. 2, as amended from time to time, including, but not limited to the removal of a motor vehicle from public property for a parking or traffic violation four hours after issuance of the traffic ticket or citation;
(2) Is parked in violation of snow emergency regulations, blocking driveways, alleys or fire hydrants;
(3) Is parked in bus lanes or bus stops during hours when parking is prohibited;
(4) Is parked within 30 feet of a stop sign and visually blocking the stop sign;
(5) Is parked in a handicapped transfer zone or handicapped parking space without a handicapped parking certificate or license plates;
(6) Is parked in an area that has been posted with temporary restricted parking;
(7) Is parked within the right-of-way of a controlled access highway or within the travel portion of a public street when travel is allowed there;
(8) Is unlawfully parked in a zone that is restricted by posted signs to be used by fire, police and public safety emergency vehicles;
(9) A law enforcement official has probable cause to believe that the vehicle may constitute or may contain evidence of a crime;
(10) The driver, operator or person in physical control of the vehicle has been taken into custody and the vehicle is impounded for safe keeping;
(11) A law enforcement official has probable cause to believe that the owner, operator or person in physical control of the vehicle has failed to respond to five or more citations for parking or traffic offenses;
(12) Is unlawfully parked and presents a risk for a lawfully parked vehicle;
(13) Is parked on a school day during prohibited hours in a school zone on a public street where official signs prohibit parking;
(14) Has been left unattended on a public highway and properly tagged by a peace officer after four hours;
(15) Is unattended and located so as to constitute an accident or traffic hazard to the traveling public as determined by a peace officer;
(16) Is left unattended in a parking facility or other public property owned and controlled by a unit of government that has been properly posted after four hours;
(17) Is left unattended on private property not owned or occupied by the owner of the motor vehicle for the time period stated below:
(a) Property that is a single family or duplex residential property, immediately;
(b) Property that is private, nonresidential property, properly posted, immediately;
(c) Property that is private, nonresidential property, not posted after 24 hours; or
(d) Property that is any residential property, properly posted, immediately.
MOTOR VEHICLE or VEHICLE. Every vehicle which is self-propelled and also means trailers or wagons requiring licenses under applicable state law.
MOTOR VEHICLE WASTE. Solid waste and liquid waste derived in the operation of or in the recycling of a motor vehicle, including such things as tires and used motor oil, but excluding scrap metal.
NON-PUBLIC IMPOUND LOT. An impound lot that is not a public impound lot.
OPERATOR. An operator of a public or non-public impound lot, regardless of whether a tow-truck service is provided.
PUBLIC IMPOUND LOT. An impound lot owned by or contracting with the city or any other governmental organization.
VITAL COMPONENT PARTS. Those parts of a motor vehicle that are essential to the mechanical functioning of the vehicle, including such things as the motor, drive train, transmission and wheels.
(Ord. 500, passed 12-23-99; Am. Ord. 500, passed 1-23-02)