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Fort Worth, TX Code of Ordinances
FORT WORTH, TEXAS CODE OF ORDINANCES
OFFICIALS of the CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
PART I: THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH
PART II: CITY CODE
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 2: ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER 2.5: RETIREMENT
CHAPTER 3: AIRPORTS AND AIRCRAFT
CHAPTER 4: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
CHAPTER 5: AMBULANCES/EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
CHAPTER 6: ANIMALS AND FOWL
CHAPTER 7: BUILDINGS
CHAPTER 8: CABLE COMMUNICATION SERVICE
CHAPTER 9: COMMUNITY FACILITIES AGREEMENTS
CHAPTER 10: COURTS
CHAPTER 11: ELECTRICITY
CHAPTER 11.5: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 12: EMERGENCY REPORTING EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 12.5: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND COMPLIANCE
CHAPTER 13: FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
CHAPTER 14: RESERVED
CHAPTER 15: GAS
CHAPTER 16: HEALTH AND SANITATION
CHAPTER 17: HUMAN RELATIONS
CHAPTER 18: LAKE WORTH
CHAPTER 19: LIBRARIES
CHAPTER 20: LICENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 21: RESERVED
CHAPTER 22: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
CHAPTER 23: OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 24: PARK AND RECREATION
CHAPTER 25: RESERVED
CHAPTER 26: PLUMBING
CHAPTER 27: POLICE
CHAPTER 28: PUBLIC UTILITIES
CHAPTER 29: SIGNS
CHAPTER 29.5: SMOKING
CHAPTER 30: STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
CHAPTER 31: SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE
CHAPTER 32: TAXATION
CHAPTER 33: TREES, SHRUBS, ETC.
CHAPTER 34: VEHICLES FOR HIRE
CHAPTER 35: WATER AND SEWERS
CHAPTER 36: RESERVED
APPENDIX A: ZONING REGULATIONS
APPENDIX B: CODE COMPLIANCE
APPENDIX C: RESERVED
CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE
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§ 10-22 ENFORCEMENT.
   (a)   An order filed by a hearing officer under this article, or a final judgment of the municipal court after appeal, may be enforced by:
      (1)   Impounding the vehicle;
      (2)   Placing a device (“boot”) that prohibits the movement of a motor vehicle on the vehicle that is the subject of the order filed;
      (3)   An additional fine if not paid within the specified time;
      (4)   Denial of parking permits; or
      (5)   Refusing to allow the registrations of the vehicle as provided by applicable state law.
   (b)   Provided, however, that no vehicle shall be impounded or immobilized under this article unless:
      (1)   The offender has three or more delinquent unpaid citations; and
      (2)   Written notice is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle at least 14 days before the vehicle is impounded or immobilized, said notice to inform the registered owner of the vehicle’s eligibility of immobilization or impoundment. Said notice shall also inform the owner of his or her right to submit information to the hearing officer regarding the propriety of the immobilization or impoundment of the vehicle.
(Ord. 10107, § 2, passed 5-3-1988; Ord. 10160, § 4, passed 8-30-1988; Ord. 19947-10-2011, § 1A, passed 10-25-2011)
§ 10-23 PROCEDURES FOR IMMOBILIZATION AND/OR IMPOUNDMENT.
   (a)   When a vehicle is found parked, whether legally or illegally, at any time upon a public street or public property in the city, and such vehicle has met the criteria for immobilization or impoundment as provided in § 10-22(b), any authorized parking enforcement agent of the city may immobilize the vehicle by the installation on or attachment to the vehicle of a device, or boot, designed to restrict the normal movement of the vehicle. In the alternative, such vehicle may be towed and impounded, provided that the towing and impoundment is authorized at the direction of a peace officer.
   (b)   At the time of immobilization, the agent shall also conspicuously attach to the vehicle a written notice on a form provided by the city, said notice to contain the following information:
      (1)   Notice that the vehicle has been immobilized pursuant to this article, and that attempted movement may cause damage to the vehicle;
      (2)   That release of the vehicle may be obtained at a designated place;
      (3)   That there is a right to a hearing regarding the immobilization; and
      (4)   That the vehicle may be towed and impounded after a designated period of time.
   (c)   Any vehicle which remains immobilized after 6:00 p.m. may be towed and impounded.
   (d)   In the event that a vehicle is towed and impounded, the owner thereof shall be responsible for payment of applicable fees for towing, impoundment and storage in addition to the fines, costs and fees provided for herein. Towed vehicles that are not redeemed within 30 days shall be subject to disposition in the manner provided by Chapter 22 of this code.
   (e)   This section is to be cumulative of existing law, and nothing herein shall be construed to restrict or limit the right to tow and impound vehicles under other applicable law.
(Ord. 10107, § 2, passed 5-3-1988; Ord. 10160, § 5, passed 8-30-1988)
Cross-reference:
   Abandoned and junked vehicles, see §§ 22-301 et seq.
§ 10-24 BOOT REMOVAL.
   (a)   The registered owner of an immobilized or impounded vehicle, or other authorized person, may secure the release of the vehicle upon:
      (1)   Payment of the amount of the fine and late fees, if any, for each delinquent parking citation plus the applicable boot fee and/or towing and storage fees; or
      (2)   The posting of a cash bond in the amount of such fines, late fees, boot fees and/or towing and storage fees to ensure appearance at the boot hearing.
   (b)   Payment of the fines, late fees, boot fee and any towing and storage fees shall constitute a waiver of the right to contest such fines and fees.
(Ord. 10107, § 2, passed 5-3-1988; Ord. 10160, § 6, passed 8-30-1988)
§ 10-25 BOOT HEARING.
   (a)   The registered owner of an immobilized or impounded vehicle shall have the right to a prompt post-immobilization hearing (“boot hearing”) before the hearing officer.
   (b)   The request for a boot hearing shall be made in writing on a form supplied by the city.
   (c)   The boot hearing shall be held within 48 hours following the written request therefor, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and city holidays, at the public safety and courts building, or at such other convenient and reasonable place as the hearing officer may direct.
   (d)   The issue to be determined at the boot hearing is whether the immobilization was authorized by law.
   (e)   The immobilization of a vehicle is valid if it complies with the requirements of this article, unless the registered owner can establish:
      (1)   That he or she was not the registered owner or the operator of the vehicle at the times in question; or
      (2)   That he or she did not receive notice as required by law.
   (f)   The determination of the hearing officer at the boot hearing is final and shall not be subject to appeal.
(Ord. 10107, § 2, passed 5-3-1988; Ord. 10160, § 7, passed 8-30-1988)
§ 10-26 FINES AND FEES.
   (a)   Any person, firm or corporation who violates any provision of this code related to the parking, stopping or standing of vehicles shall be fined in an amount not exceeding $200 for each offense, the amount to be determined by the hearing officer in his or her reasonable discretion, subject to review or appeal to the municipal court.
   (b)   The city council may, by resolution, adopt a schedule of standard fines for various parking offenses. Such standard fines shall be the amount to be paid and accepted by those persons who do not desire a hearing and wish to pay the fines by mail or otherwise.
   (c)   The boot fee shall be $50. Charges for towing and/or storage of impounded vehicles shall be as provided by the law applicable to abandoned vehicles.
   (d)   All fines, costs and fees shall be deposited in the proper account of the general fund of the city, unless otherwise directed by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 10107, § 2, passed 5-3-1988; Ord. 19947-10-2011, § 1B, passed 10-25-2011)
§ 10-27 CERTAIN CONDUCT UNLAWFUL.
   (a)   It shall be unlawful for any person, other than an officer or employee of the city acting in the course and scope of his or her duties under this article, to remove or attempt to remove or to tamper in any manner with an immobilization device (boot) installed on any vehicle pursuant to this article.
   (b)   It shall be unlawful for any person, except under the direction of a peace officer, to tow or move or to cause to be towed or moved any vehicle on which a boot is then installed pursuant to this article from the place where it was booted.
   (c)   It shall be unlawful for any person, other than an officer or employee of the city acting in the course and scope of his or her duties or the owner or operator of a booted vehicle, to remove or relocate any notice placed upon a booted vehicle under § 10-23(b) of this code.
   (d)   Any offense under this section shall be a criminal offense punishable upon conviction by a fine not to exceed $500. To the extent that any conduct declared to be unlawful under this section also constitutes a violation of any valid and applicable state law, then it shall be punishable as provided by state law.
(Ord. 10160, § 8, passed 8-30-1988)