(A) The person responsible, or the owner of the premises on which such vehicle is located, or the registered owner of any such vehicle if such can be determined after reasonable search, or all, shall be given notice as prescribed in this article to remove and dispose of the vehicle at his own expense, or he shall be in violation of this article. If such person or owner cannot be determined or has not complied within the time prescribed by the notice, any such vehicle at the discretion of the city may be removed from public property to a storage area for safekeeping at the direction of the city. No such vehicle shall be so removed from privately owned premises without the written authorization of the registered owner of the vehicle, if known, or the owner, lessee or occupant of the premises, unless the vehicle has been declared by order of the judge, after due notice and hearing before the municipal court, to be a safety hazard or other public nuisance. Such order may be appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction within ten days by an aggrieved party. Upon the issuance of such order, the costs of its removal and disposal may be assessed against the person responsible for the nuisance, and such costs may be placed as a lien against his property.
(B) A junk motor vehicle may be posted in place, and its owner may reclaim it by exhibiting reasonable proof of ownership and paying all reasonable costs incident to its removal, storage and administrative expenses. An unclaimed junk motor vehicle may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of in summary manner after twenty (20) days following possession of such vehicle under the provisions of this article. Notice shall be promptly given after final disposition to the state department of motor vehicles on such forms as it provides that it was deemed a junk motor vehicle and disposed of as such. This notice shall fully and accurately describe said vehicle. Any proceeds derived from such disposition of junk motor vehicles shall be deposited in the general fund of the city.
State Law Reference:
Removal and disposition of abandoned or derelict motor vehicles, S.C. Code §§ 56-5-5810 et seq.