(A) The enforcement officer is authorized to issue a warning or written demand to the owner, occupant, agent or person in possession of the premises on which any wrecked, junked or abandoned vehicle is kept in violation of this chapter notifying such individuals to remove such vehicle from the premises within ten days from the receipt of such notice. Such notice will further provide that failure to remove such vehicle could result in fines not to exceed $2,500 per day as well as any other costs that may be assessed if legal action is necessary for the enforcement of this section. Upon the failure or refusal of such person to remove such vehicle within the time period specified, an enforcement action may be filed before a hearing officer designated by the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners or the LaPorte Circuit Court concerning the failure to remove such vehicle. After hearing all facts, such hearing officer may determine that such vehicle is not in violation of this chapter or, if in violation:
(1) Remove such vehicle within a specified period of time and/or be subject to fines not to exceed $2,500 per day for each day such violation continues to exist.
(2) Order a storage yard to remove such vehicle and assess the costs of such removal and storage to the owner.
(3) If such vehicle is not claimed by the owner from the storage yard within 15 days from removal by paying the actual costs of such removal and storage or if not claimed within the time period specified by I.C. 9-22-1 et seq, such vehicle may be sold and disposed of as provided accordingly.
(B) If in the opinion of the officer, the market value of such vehicle or parts thereof are determined to be less than $500, the officer may immediately order the disposal of such vehicle to an automobile scrap yard pursuant to the provisions of I.C. 9-22-1-13 or any subsequent amendments thereto.
(C) The removal and disposal of abandoned vehicles, I.C. 9-22-1, as promulgated by the State Legislature is made a part of this chapter and shall govern all areas not specifically addressed herein. LaPorte County specifically adopts the procedures contained therein for the sale and disposal of abandoned vehicles once such vehicle has been impounded or towed and held beyond the 15 days prescribed by this chapter without any owner claiming such vehicle.
(D) The powers given to the LaPorte County Sheriff Department in this division are intended in no way to abridge or void existing authority given to any other department or agency of LaPorte County or enforcement of any other order that is now in effect.
(Ord. 2002-03, passed 2-19-02; Am. Ord. 2004-01, passed 2-17-04)