(a) Unattended motor vehicles and immobile motor vehicles may be removed for safekeeping by or under the direction of the Sheriff or a deputy to a storage garage or area. However, no such vehicle shall be so removed from private property without the written request of the owner, lessee or occupant thereof.
(b) The person at whose request a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer is removed from private property shall indemnify the County against any loss or expense incurred by reason of the removal, storage or sale thereof.
(c) Each removal shall be reported immediately to the Sheriff and notice thereof shall be given to the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer as promptly as possible.
(d) The owner of such vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, before obtaining possession thereof, shall pay to the parties entitled thereto all reasonable costs incident to removing, storing and locating the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer. If such owner fails or refuses to pay such costs, or if the identity or whereabouts of such owner is unknown and unascertainable after a diligent search has been made, and after notice has been given to him or her at his or her last known address and to the holder of any lien of record, in the office of the State Department of Motor Vehicles, against the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, the vehicle shall be treated as an abandoned vehicle under the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 93-03. Passed 3-17-93.)