For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED VEHICLE. A motor vehicle that is:
(1) Left upon a street or highway in violation of a law or ordinance prohibiting parking;
(2) Left on a public street or highway for longer than 7 days;
(3) Left on property owned or operated by the town for longer than 24 hours; or
(4) Left on private property without the consent of the owner, occupant or lessee thereof, for longer than 2 hours.
AUTHORIZING OFFICIAL
.
The supervisory employee of the Police Department or the Department of Code Enforcement, respectively, designated to authorize the removal of vehicles under the provisions of this chapter.
MOTOR VEHICLE or VEHICLE. A machine designed or intended to travel over land by self-propulsion or while attached to any self-propelled vehicle.
NUISANCE VEHICLE
.
A motor vehicle on public or private property that is determined and declared to be a health or safety hazard, a public nuisance and unlawful, including a vehicle found to be:
(1) A breeding ground or harbor for mosquitoes or other insects or a breeding ground or harbor for rats or other pests;
(2) A point of heavy growth of weeds or other noxious vegetation over 8 inches in height;
(3) A point of collection of pools or ponds of water;
(4) A point of concentration of quantities of gasoline, oil and other flammable or explosive materials as evidenced by odor;
(5) One which has areas of confinement which cannot be operated from the inside such as trunks, hoods and the like;
(6) One which presents a substantial risk of injury to minors or other persons because of broken glass, jagged edges or protrusions or otherwise;
(7) So situated or located that there is danger of its falling or turning over; or
(8) Any other vehicle specifically declared a health and safety hazard and a public nuisance by the Board of Commissioners.
(1988 Code, § 15-21)
Statutory reference:
Abandoned vehicles and the like, see G.S. §§ 20-219.9 et seq., 160A-303
Similar provisions, see G.S. § 160A-303(b)