Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the following definitions shall govern the construction of the words or phrases used in this chapter:
1. Abandoned vehicle. Includes the following:
a. Public nuisance vehicle. Any vehicle, or parts thereof, that is abandoned, dismantled, partially dismantled, wrecked, or inoperative, that is left on public or private property, and which creates a deteriorating environmental condition, reduces the value of private property, promotes the deterioration of a business district or neighborhood, invites plundering, creates fire hazards, constitutes an attractive nuisance endangering the health and safety of minors, harbors rodents and insects, or jeopardizes the health, safety, or general welfare of the public.
b. Abandoned vehicle. A vehicle is abandoned if it is left on public property, highways, or on private property, in such an inoperable and neglected condition that the owner’s intention to relinquish the right of possession or all further rights or interests in it may reasonably be concluded.
2. Dismantled vehicle. Any vehicle which is partially or wholly disassembled, or in pieces, and is disabled by such condition.
3. Hearing Officer. The city manager or the city manager’s designee.
4. Highway. A way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. Highway includes street.
5. Inoperative vehicle. Any vehicle that is:
a. Mechanically incapable of being driven because it is missing any part essential for movement or such essential parts are broken or defective; or
b. Not currently and validly registered for operation or use on the highways and streets in the State as required under the provisions of Division 3 (commencing at Section 4000 et seq.) of the Vehicle Code of the State.
6. Owner of the vehicle. The last registered owner and last legal owner of record as determined by the state department of motor vehicles.
7. Property Owner. The owner of the land on which the vehicle, or part thereof, is located, as shown on the last equalized assessment roll, or supplemental roll, whichever is more current.
8. Public Property. Does not include “highway.”
9. Vehicle. A device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, except a device moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
10. Vehicle abatement officer. Any employee of the city appointed by the city manager or the city manager’s designee and assigned the task of enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
11. Wrecked vehicle. A wrecked vehicle is one which is destroyed, disabled, seriously damaged, crashed or ruined to such an extent that it cannot operate under its own power upon the highway without significant repairs. A vehicle which has been wrecked in a traffic accident, and which has been removed from the roadway to a storage facility, but which has not been claimed by its owner, shall not be considered an abandoned vehicle that is subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 2252, Ord. 2555)