(A) Whenever a vehicle is placed in a manner or location that constitutes an obstruction to traffic or a hazard to public safety, a law enforcement officer shall order the owner or operator of the vehicle to remove it. If the vehicle is unattended, the officer may cause the vehicle to be towed and stored at the owner’s expense. The owner shall be liable for the costs of towing and storing, notwithstanding that the vehicle was parked by another or that the vehicle was initially parked in a safe manner, but subsequently became an obstruction or hazard.
(B) The disposition of a vehicle towed and stored under authority of this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of O.R.S. 819.100 through 819.215, relating to impoundment and disposition of vehicles abandoned on the city streets. An impounded vehicle shall not be released until all outstanding fines and charges have been paid. An impounded vehicle shall only be released to a licensed and insured driver if the vehicle is to be driven from the impoundment site.
(C) The impoundment of a vehicle will not preclude the issuance of a citation for violation of a provision of this title.
(D) Stolen vehicles may be towed from public or private property and stored at the expense of the vehicle owner.
(E) Whenever a law enforcement officer observes a vehicle parked in violation of a provision of this title, the officer, instead of or in addition to issuing a citation, may cause the vehicle to be impounded. A vehicle so impounded shall not be released until all outstanding fines and charges have been paid. Vehicles impounded under authority of this division (E) shall be disposed of in the same manner as provided in division (B) above.
(F) Whenever a motor vehicle, two-wheel trailer, utility trailer, mobile trailer, camper trailer, camper or recreation vehicle is found to have been parked upon a street or right-of-way within the city for more than 48 hours, it shall be the responsibility of the City Administrator or his or her designee to make diligent inquiry to determine the ownership of said vehicle or trailer and to advise the owner, if found, of the requirements and remedies of this title.
(1) (a) If ownership cannot be determined by routine inquiry in the neighborhood where such vehicle or trailer is found, the law enforcement officer shall examine said vehicle or trailer for its license number, motor number, serial number, make and style and any other information which could aid in the identification of the owner of said vehicle or trailer.
(b) This information shall be conveyed, for purposes of identifying, to the Department of Motor Vehicles of the state for registration of said vehicle or trailer, if any.
(2) If the owner of such vehicle or trailer is identified, the owner thereof shall be notified by personal service or certified return-receipt mail that said vehicle or trailer will be impounded by the Police Department 24 hours after the receipt by the owner of said notice unless the vehicle is removed by the owner within that period. If written return-receipt is not obtained, it shall be presumed that the owner has received notification when a period of seven days expires from the date of mailing of said notice by certified mail. In addition to said notification by personal service or certified mail, notification shall be placed by the law enforcement officer on said vehicle or trailer.
(3) If ownership of such vehicle or trailer cannot be determined after the accomplishment of the steps set out in division (F)(1) above, the law enforcement officer shall place upon said vehicle a notice visible to the public stating that said vehicle or trailer shall be removed and impounded by the city after the expiration of 24 hours from the time of posting of said notice unless said vehicle or trailer is removed.
(4) Vehicles impounded under authority of this division (F) shall be disposed of in the same manner as provided in division (B) above.
(Ord. 357, passed 2-25-2002)