A. Nuisance Declared: The open accumulation and storage of abandoned or discarded vehicles is hereby found to create a condition tending to reduce the value of private property, to promote blight, deterioration and unsightliness, to invite plundering, to create fire hazards, to constitute an attractive nuisance and a hazard to the health and safety of minors, to create a harborage for rodents and insects and to be injurious to the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the city. Therefore, the presence of an abandoned or discarded vehicle is hereby declared a public nuisance which may be abated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. Abandonment On Public Property: No vehicle which the police department has reason to believe is discarded or abandoned shall be parked or left standing on public property within the city for a period in excess of twenty four (24) hours and the same is declared a nuisance.
C. Storage In Building Permitted: Abandoned or discarded vehicles and parts thereof may be stored on private property within the city if the vehicle and/or vehicle parts are completely enclosed within a building. This does not allow the storage of or operation of a junkyard or vehicle repair business in violation of city zoning codes. This section does not prohibit storage of vehicles or parts thereof by a business enterprise dealing in junked vehicles lawfully conducted within the city.
D. Abandonment On Private Property:
1. Any vehicle parked or left standing upon any private property in excess of five (5) days without the consent of the owner or person in lawful possession or control of the property may, at the request of either, be removed by the police department.
2. Any "discarded" vehicle, as the same is defined in section 6-4-2 of this chapter, left standing upon any private property in excess of five (5) days and not stored in a building may be removed by the police department.
E. Removal: Any vehicle abandoned or "discarded" as the same is defined in this chapter may be taken into custody by the police department and held and sold as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 526-99, 3-8-1999)
F. Storage With Permit: The owner of an abandoned or discarded vehicle may apply for a permit to allow storage of such vehicle. The application shall be on a form supplied by the city and shall include the following information:
1. Circumstances for storage and intent; length of proposed storage; complete description of vehicle, including VIN number.
2. The permit will be issued for storage on private property only. No storage of abandoned or discarded vehicles will be allowed on public streets, shoulders of city streets, public rights of way, or public property. The permit shall be granted for the maximum of one vehicle until revoked. If revoked, the vehicle is subject to immediate removal by the police department. The permittee shall immediately notify the city when the vehicle is licensed and operable. The vehicle must remain in movable condition, i.e., with fully inflated tires and wheels to remain on vehicle at all times. Windows must remain closed and doors locked, so as to reduce animal nesting and access by children. The area around and under the vehicle shall be kept clear of weeds and debris. No vehicle parts may be stored in the open. Violation of any term or condition of this section shall result in immediate termination of the permit and upon seventy two (72) hours' notice of permit termination, the police department may remove the vehicle.
3. Approval of the permit is at the council's discretion and they may place additional conditions on the permit. The permit will be reviewed at the next council meeting after the application has been received by the city. (Ord. 573-14, 3-10-2014)