(A) Except as provided in division (B), the person in whose name a vehicle is registered or leased shall be absolutely responsible for any illegal parking. It shall be no defense that the vehicle was illegally parked by someone other than the registered owner unless it is shown that at the time of the violation the vehicle was stolen.
(B) The registered owner of any motor vehicle leased or rented to another is not liable for any municipal traffic or parking violation occurring while the leased or rented vehicle was not in his or her possession or control, if upon notice of the violation the registered owner notifies the Clerk, City Recorder, or other appropriate municipal official of the court in which the case is pending of the name, address, and driver's license number of the lessee of the vehicle on the date the violation occurred. This notice must be notarized. If the registered owner fails to submit the notice within seven working days of receipt of the violation, the court in which the case is heard may take such action as the interest of justice requires, including finding the registered owner of the motor vehicle liable for the violation.
(Ord. 27-12, passed 10-23-12)
Statutory reference:
Similar state law, see S.C. Code § 56-5-715