For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED VEHICLE.
(1) A vehicle located on public property illegally;
(2) A vehicle left on public property continuously without being moved for 3 days;
(3) A vehicle located on public property in such a manner as to constitute a hazard or obstruction to the movement of a pedestrian or vehicle traffic on a public right-of-way;
(4) A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of that property for more than 48 hours;
(5) A vehicle from which there has been removed the engine, transmission or differential, or that is otherwise partially dismantled or inoperable and left on public property;
(6) A vehicle that has been removed by a towing service or a public agency upon request of an officer enforcing a statute or ordinance other than this chapter, if the vehicle once impounded is not claimed or redeemed by the owner or his or her agent within 15 days of its removal; or
(7) A vehicle which is 6 or more model years old and mechanically inoperable and is left on private property continuously in a location visible from public property for more than 3 days.
AUTOMOBILE SCRAPYARD. A business organized for the purpose of scrap metal processing, automobile wrecking or operating a junkyard.
BUREAU. Refers to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
FISCAL BODY. The Common Council of the City of Hammond, Indiana.
OFFICER. A regular member of the Hammond Police Department and any Code Enforcement Officer.
OWNER. The last known record title holder of a vehicle, according to the records of the Bureau.
PERSON. An individual, firm corporation, association, fiduciary or government entity.
PRIVATE PROPERTY. All property other than public property.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. A public right-of-way, street, highway, alley, sidewalk, park or other municipal property.
TOWING SERVICE. A business that engages in moving, removing, storing and impounding disabled vehicles.
VEHICLE. Refers to an automobile, motorcycle, truck, trailer, semitrailer, tractor, bus, school bus, recreational vehicle or motorized bicycle.
VISIBLE FROM PUBLIC PROPERTY. A vehicle can be seen from public property and includes vehicles which have been covered by a temporary covering that allows the form and outline of the vehicle to remain visible from public property.
(Prior Code, § 106.01) (Ord. 8557, passed 3-22-2004)