(a) When an abandoned motor vehicle has been taken into custody, the sheriff shall notify within 15 days thereof, by registered mail, return receipt requested, the last known registered owner of the vehicle and all lienholders of record that the vehicle has been taken into custody. The notice shall describe the year, make, model and serial number of the vehicle; set forth where the motor vehicle is being held, inform the owner and any lienholders of the right to reclaim the motor vehicle within 3 weeks after the date of the notice, upon payment of all towing, preservation and storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and state that the failure of the owner or lienholder to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner and all lienholders of all right, title and interest in the vehicle and consent to the sale of the vehicle at public auction.
(b) If the identity of the last registered owner cannot be determined, or if the registration contains no address for the owner, or if it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identity and addresses of all lienholders, notice by 1 publication in 1 newspaper of general circulation in the area where the motor vehicle was abandoned shall be sufficient to meet all requirements of notice pursuant to this division. The notice by publication can contain multiple listing of abandoned vehicles. Any such notice shall be within the time requirements prescribed for notice by registered mail and shall have the same contents required for a notice by registered mail.
(1976 Code, § 9-145) (Ord. 2256, § 4.5, passed 6-4-1991)