(A) A vehicle parked in violation of this section may be ordered removed from a public street or alley by a peace officer or authorized city official. A vehicle may be towed if:
(1) The vehicle is parked in violation of winter parking regulations;
(2) The vehicle is blocking a driveway, alley, mailbox, mail receptacle or fire hydrant;
(3) The vehicle is parked in a bus lane, or at a bus stop, during hours when parking is prohibited;
(4) The vehicle is parked within 30 feet of a stop sign and visually blocking the stop sign;
(5) The vehicle is parked in a disability transfer zone or disability parking space without a disability parking certificate or disability license plates;
(6) The vehicle is parked in an area that has been posted for temporary restricted parking at least 12 hours in advance;
(7) The vehicle is parked within the right-of-way of a controlled access highway or within the traveled portion of a public street when travel is allowed there;
(8) The vehicle is unlawfully parked in a zone that is restricted by posted signs to use by fire, police, public safety or emergency vehicles;
(9) A law enforcement official has probable cause to believe that the vehicle is stolen, or that the vehicle constitutes or contains evidence of a crime and impoundment is reasonably necessary to obtain or preserve the evidence;
(10) The driver, operator or person in physical custody of the vehicle is taken into custody and the vehicle is impounded for safekeeping;
(11) A law enforcement official has probable cause to believe that the owner, operator or person in physical control of the vehicle has failed to respond to five or more citations for parking or traffic offenses;
(12) The vehicle is unlawfully parked and prevents egress by a lawfully parked vehicle;
(13) The vehicle is parked, on a school day during prohibited hours, in a school zone on a public street where official signs prohibit parking; or
(14) If authorized by M.S. § 169.041.
(B) If a vehicle is to be towed for reasons other than winter parking violation, a peace officer or parking enforcement officer must prepare, in addition to the written citation, a written towing report describing the motor vehicle and the reasons for towing. The towing report must be signed by the officer and the tow driver. The owner or driver of the vehicle must be notified, if present or readily available, to remove the vehicle, otherwise the vehicle is to be towed away to a garage, service station or other place of safekeeping as soon as possible to facilitate snow removal, street maintenance, the orderly flow of traffic, firefighting or other lawful purpose. The owner must pay the costs of such towing and storage. Except in an emergency, the removal of a vehicle by or under the direction of the peace officer or other authorized city official does not prevent the prosecution of a violation of this section.
(Ord. 05-2021, passed 1-11-2022; Ord. 01-2022, passed 1-11-2022)