(A) No person shall place, park, permit to remain, store or leave upon an open area of any premises located anywhere in the city any abandoned, junk or unauthorized motorized vehicle for more than 7 days.
(B) Exceptions.
(1) In the business, mixed use, and industrial zoned districts, abandoned, junk or unauthorized vehicles may remain for more than 7 days provided they are adequately screened. Adequate screening will require the keeping of the vehicles within 1 of the following:
(a) A building;
(b) A privacy fence at least 5 feet in height; or
(c) Within an earth-toned or neutral colored opaque cover that was specifically designed and manufactured for that purpose and which completely encloses such vehicle and the vehicle is stored at least 100 feet from a public highway or residential building.
(2) Agricultural zoned areas, provided the vehicles do not violate any of the public nuisances affecting public health as identified in § 96.04.
(3) Areas zoned MXR-1 that are currently being used for agricultural purposes, provided the vehicles do not violate any of the public nuisances affecting public health as identified in § 96.04. The use of the property will be determined by the Washington County Assessor property tax designation.
(C) Removal and disposal. If a vehicle fails to meet any of the above requirements, the owner or possessor of the vehicle will be responsible to remove the vehicle to a duly licensed junkyard or other authorized place of deposit or storage within 10 business days of the mailing date of written notice by the city. In the event the owner or possessor of the vehicle cannot be located, then it will be the responsibility of the owner of the premises to remove the vehicle to a duly licensed junkyard or other authorized place of deposit or storage within 10 business days of the mailing date of written notice by the city.
(D) Impoundment of vehicles. The city may take into custody and impound any vehicle or vehicles in violation of this section, pursuant to M.S. Ch. 168B, as amended.
(E) Disposition of impounded vehicles. In all cases of impoundment described above, the city shall follow the requirements of M.S. Ch. 168B, as amended for disposition of impounded vehicles.
(Ord. 733, passed 1-8-2024)