(A) A motor vehicle is abandoned if the vehicle is left in a storage facility operated for commercial purposes after the tenth day after the date on which:
(1) The garagekeeper gives notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known registered owner of the vehicle and to each lienholder of record of the vehicle under Tex. Trans. Code, Ch. 501, to remove the vehicle;
(2) A contract for the vehicle to remain on the premises of the facility expires; or
(3) The vehicle was left in the facility, if the vehicle was left by a person other than the registered owner or a person authorized to have possession of the vehicle under a contract of use, service, storage, or repair.
(B) If notice sent under division (A)(1) is returned unclaimed by the post office, substituted notice is sufficient if published in 1 newspaper of general circulation in the area where the vehicle was left.
(C) The garagekeeper shall report the abandonment of the motor vehicle to the Police Department and shall pay a $5 fee to be used by the Police Department for the cost of the notice required by this section or other cost incurred in disposing of the vehicle.
(D) The garagekeeper shall retain custody of an abandoned motor vehicle until the Police Department takes the vehicle into custody under § 93.03 of this code.
(Ord. 329, passed 11-18-1996)