For the purpose of this subchapter, 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 three days;
(3) A vehicle located on public property in such a manner as to constitute a hazard of obstruction to the movement of 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 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 the state’s Abandoned Vehicle Act, being I.C. 9-22-1, 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 that is six or more model years old and mechanically inoperable, and is left on private property continuously in a location visible from the public property for more than 30 days.
AUTOMOBILE SALVAGE YARD. A business organized for the purpose of scrap metal processing, automobile wrecking or operating a junkyard.
BUREAU. The State Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
FISCAL BODY. The County Sheriff’s Department, North Vernon City Council or Vernon Town Marshal.
OFFICER. The County Sheriff’s Department, North Vernon City Police or Vernon Town Marshal.
OWNER. The last known titleholder of a vehicle according to records of the Bureau under I.C. 9-17.
PARTS. All components of a vehicle that as assembled do not constitute a complete vehicle.
PERSON. An individual, firm, corporation, association, fiduciary or governmental entity.
PRIVATE PROPERTY. All property other than public property.
PUBLIC AGENCY. Area Plan Commission acting through the County Sheriff’s Department, North Vernon City Police and the Vernon Town Marshal, which given the responsibility by this subchapter for the removal, storage and disposal of abandoned vehicles.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. A public right-of-way, street, highway, alley, park or other state, county or municipal property.
TOWING SERVICE. A business that engages in moving or removing disabled vehicles, and, once removed, to store or impound vehicles.
VEHICLE. An automobile, motorcycle, truck, trailer, semi-trailer, tractor, bus, school bus, recreational vehicle or motorized bicycle.
(Ord. passed 9-1-2006)