(A) A law enforcement officer or official as set forth in § 10.04.110, discovering an unauthorized vehicle left within a city right-of-way, shall attach to the vehicle a readily visible notification sticker.
(1) The city shall develop a notification sticker that clearly denotes the agency’s authorization to impound.
(2) The sticker shall also contain the following information:
(a) The date and time the sticker was attached;
(b) The identity of the officer or official;
(c) A statement that if the vehicle is not removed within 24 hours from the time the sticker is attached, the vehicle may be taken into custody and stored at the owner’s expense; and
(d) The address and telephone number where additional information may be obtained.
(B) (1) If the vehicle has current state registration plates, the officer or official shall check the records to learn the identity of the last owner of record.
(2) The officer or official or their department shall make a reasonable effort to contact the owner in order to give the owner the information on the notification sticker.
(C) (1) If the vehicle is not removed within 24 hours from the time the notification sticker is attached, the law enforcement officer or official may take custody of the vehicle and provide for the vehicle’s removal to a place of safety.
(2) A vehicle that does not pose a safety hazard may remain on the roadside for more than 24 hours if the owner or operator is unable to remove it from the place where it is located and so notifies law enforcement officers or officials and requests assistance; provided, however, said vehicle must be removed within 72 hours of the original notice.
(D) For the purposes of this section, a place of safety includes the business location of a registered tow truck operator.
(Prior Code, § 10.04.130) (Ord. 2021-14, passed 12-20-2021)