(A) As used in this section,
ABANDONED JUNK MOTOR VEHICLE means any motor vehicle meeting all of the following requirements:
(1) The vehicle is left on private property for 48 hours or longer without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, or upon or within the right-of- way of any road or highway for 48 hours or longer;
(2) The vehicle is three years old or older;
(3) The vehicle is extensively damaged, such damage including but not limited to any of the following: missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission;
(4) The vehicle is apparently inoperable; and
(5) The vehicle has a fair market value of $1,500 or less.
(B) The Police Chief shall order any abandoned junk motor vehicle to be photographed by a law enforcement officer. The officer shall record the make of motor vehicle, the serial number when available, and shall also detail the damage or missing equipment to substantiate the value of $1,500 or less. The Police Chief shall thereupon immediately dispose of the abandoned junk motor vehicle to a motor vehicle salvage dealer as defined in R.C. § 4738.01 or a scrap metal processing facility as defined in R.C. § 4737.05 which is under contract to the municipality, or to any other facility owned by or under contract with the municipality for the destruction of such motor vehicles. The records and photographs relating to the abandoned junk motor vehicle shall be retained by the law enforcement agency ordering the disposition of such vehicle for a period of at least two years. The law enforcement agency shall execute in quadruplicate an affidavit, as prescribed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, describing the motor vehicle and the manner in which it was disposed of, and that all requirements of R.C. § 4513.63 have been complied with, and, within 30 days of disposing of the vehicle, shall sign and file the affidavit with the Clerk of Courts of the county in which the motor vehicle was abandoned. The Clerk of Courts retains the original of the affidavit for the Clerk’s files, furnishes one copy thereof to the registrar, one copy to the motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility handling the disposal of the vehicle, and one copy to the law enforcement agency ordering the disposal, who shall file such copy with the records and photograph relating to the disposal. Any monies arising from the disposal of an abandoned junk motor vehicle shall be deposited in the General Fund of the municipality.
(C) Notwithstanding § 95.02, any motor vehicle meeting the requirements of division (A)(2), (A)(3) and (A)(5) of this section which has remained unclaimed by the owner or lienholder for a period of ten days or longer following notification as provided in § 95.02 may be disposed of as provided in this section.
(R.C. § 4513.63) (Rev. 2005)