(A) When a motor vehicle has been involuntarily towed or transported pursuant to order of police, other public authority, or private person or business for any reason or when the vehicle has been stolen or misappropriated and its removal from the public ways has been ordered by police, other public authority, or by private person or business, or in any other situation where a motor vehicle has been involuntarily towed or transported by order of police, other authority, or by private person or business, the police, other authority, or private person or business shall attempt to ascertain from the State Transportation Cabinet the identity of the registered owner of the motor vehicle or lessor of a motor carrier as defined in KRS Chapter 281 and within ten business days of the removal shall, by certified mail, attempt to notify the registered owner at the address of record of the make, model, license number, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle, of the location of the vehicle, and of the requirements for securing the release of the motor vehicle.
(B) If a vehicle described in division (A) is placed in a garage or other storage facility, the owner of the facility shall attempt to provide the notice provided in division (A) by certified mail to the registered owner at the address of record of the motor vehicle or lessor of a motor carrier as defined in KRS Chapter 281 within ten business days of recovery of, or taking possession of the motor vehicle. The notice shall contain the information as to the make, model, license number, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle, the location of the vehicle, and the amount of reasonable charges due on the vehicle. When the owner of the facility fails to provide notice as provided herein, the motor vehicle storage facility shall forfeit all storage fees accrued after ten business days from the date of tow. This division (B) shall not apply to a tow lot or storage facility owned or operated by the city.
(C) For additional information and requirements, including vehicle forfeiture and sale of the contents, refer to KRS 376.275 Lien on motor vehicles and contents for towing, recovery, storage, transporting, and other applicable charges -- Attempt to notify registered owner -- Inspection of vehicle and contents prior to release -- Forfeiture and sale of contents -- Limitation of storage or growing company's liability.
(Ord. 2018-10, passed 6-18-18)