(A) Except as set forth in § 90.08 below, an abandoned, nuisance or junked vehicle which is to be removed shall be towed only after notice to the registered owner or person entitled to possession of the vehicle. In the case of a nuisance vehicle or a junked motor vehicle, if the names and mailing addresses of the registered owner or person entitled to the possession of the vehicle, or the owner, lessee or occupant of the real property upon which the vehicle is located can be ascertained in the exercise of reasonable diligence, the notice shall be given by first class mail. The person who mails the notice shall retain a written record to show the names and addresses to which it was mailed, and the date mailed. If the names and addresses cannot be ascertained or if the vehicle to be removed is an abandoned motor vehicle, notice shall be given by affixing on the windshield or some other conspicuous place on the vehicle a notice indicating that the vehicle will be removed by the town on a specified date, but no sooner than seven days after the notice is affixed. Whether notice is by first class mail or by posting as provided above, the notice shall state that the vehicle will be removed by the town on a specified date, not sooner than seven days after the notice is affixed or mailed, unless the vehicle is removed by the owner or legal possessor prior to that time.
(B) With respect to abandoned vehicles on private property, nuisance vehicles and junked motor vehicles to which notice is required to be given, if the registered owner or person entitled to possession does not remove the vehicle but chooses to appeal the determination that the vehicle is abandoned or is a nuisance vehicle, or in the case of a junked motor vehicle that the aesthetic benefits of removing the vehicle outweigh the burdens, the appeal shall be made to the Town Manager in writing, who shall set a time for the appeal and hear it within a reasonable amount of time, not less than ten nor more than 30 days after receiving the request for the appeal. Further proceedings to remove the vehicle shall be stayed until the appeal is heard and decided. The decision of the Town Manager shall be appealable to District Court.
(C) Any abandoned, nuisance or junked motor vehicle which has been ordered removed may, as directed by the Town, be removed to a storage garage or area by the tow truck operator or towing business contracting to perform the services for the town. Whenever a vehicle is removed, the authorizing town official shall immediately notify the last known registered owner of the vehicle, and the notice shall include the following:
(1) The description of the removed vehicle;
(2) The location where the vehicle is stored;
(3) The violation with which the owner is charged, if any;
(4) The procedure the owner must follow to redeem the vehicle; and
(5) The procedure the owner must follow to request a probable cause hearing on the removal.
(D) The town shall attempt to give notice to the vehicle owner by telephone. However, whether or not the owner is reached by telephone, written notice, including the information set forth in divisions (C)(1) through (C)(5) above, shall also be mailed to the registered owner's last known address, unless this notice is waived in writing by the vehicle owner or the owner's agent.
(E) If the vehicle is registered in the state of North Carolina, notice shall be given within 24 hours. If the vehicle is not registered in the state of North Carolina, notice shall be given to the registered owner within 72 hours form the removal of the vehicle.
(F) Whenever an abandoned, nuisance or junked motor vehicle is removed, and the vehicle has no valid registration or registration plates, the authorizing town official shall make reasonable efforts, including checking the vehicle identification number, to determine the last known registered owner of the vehicle and to notify the owner of the information set forth in divisions (C)(1) through (C) (5) above.
(Ord. passed 12-3-12)