(a) Release Prior to Removal. If the owner or operator of a motor vehicle that has been ordered into storage pursuant to Section 307.01 or of a vehicle that is being removed under authority of Section 307.02 arrives after the motor vehicle or vehicle has been prepared for removal but prior to its actual removal from the property, the owner or operator shall be given the opportunity to pay a fee of not more than one-half of the charge for the removal of a motor vehicle under Section 307.01 or of vehicles under Section 307.02, whichever is applicable, that normally is assessed by the person who has prepared the motor vehicle or vehicle for removal, in order to obtain release of the motor vehicle or vehicle. Upon payment of that fee, the motor vehicle or vehicle shall be released to the owner or operator, and upon its release, the owner or operator immediately shall move it so that:
(1) If the motor vehicle was ordered into storage pursuant to Section 307.01, it is not on the private property without the permission of the person having the right to possession of the property, or is not at the garage or place of storage without the permission of the owner, whichever is applicable;
(2) If the vehicle was being removed under authority of Section 307.02, it is not parked on the private property established as private tow-away zone without the consent of the owner or in violation of any posted parking condition or regulation.
(b) Records. The Municipal Police Department shall maintain a record of motor vehicles that have been ordered into storage pursuant to Section 307.01 and of vehicles removed from private property that has been established as a private tow-away zone of which notice has been given to the Municipal Police Department under Section 307.02. Any information in the record that pertains to a particular motor vehicle or vehicle shall be provided to any person who, either in person or pursuant to a telephone call, identifies himself as the owner or operator of the motor vehicle or vehicle and requests information pertaining to its location.
(c) Removal and Storage Charges. The owner of a motor vehicle that is ordered into storage pursuant to Section 307.01 or of a vehicle that is removed under authority of Section 307.02 may reclaim it upon payment of any expenses or charges incurred in its removal, in an amount not to exceed one hundred twenty-nine dollars ($129.00), and storage, in an amount not to exceed seventeen dollars ($17.00) per twenty-four hour period; except that the charge for towing shall not exceed two hundred sixteen dollars ($216.00), and the storage charge shall not exceed twenty-nine dollars ($29.00) per twenty-four-hour period, if the vehicle has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds and is a truck, bus or a combination of a commercial tractor and trailer or semitrailer. Presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the motor vehicle or vehicle also shall be required for reclamation of the vehicle. If a motor vehicle that is ordered into storage pursuant to Section 307.01 remains unclaimed by the owner for thirty days, the procedures established by Ohio R.C. 4513.61 and 4513.62 shall apply.
(ORC 4513.60; Ord. 14(20-21). Passed 3-5-20.)