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) Any vehicle located on public property illegally;
(b) Any vehicle which has been left on any public property without being moved for a period of three days or more;
(c) Any vehicle located on public property in such a manner as to constitute a hazard or obstruction to the movement of pedestrian or vehicle traffic on a public right-of-way;
(d) Any vehicle that has remained on private property for more than 48 hours without the consent of the owner or person in control of such property;
(e) Any 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;
(f) Any vehicle which has been removed by a towing or wrecker service or a public agency upon the request or order of a police officer enforcing a statute or ordinance if the impounded vehicle is not claimed or redeemed by the owner or his or her agent within 15 days of its removal; and
(g) Any vehicle that is six or more model years old and mechanically inoperable, and is left continuously on private property in a location visible from public property for more than 30 days.
(2) This definition and subchapter do not apply to a vehicle in operable condition specifically adapted or constructed for operation on privately owned raceways; a vehicle stored as the property of a member of the United States Armed Forces who is on active duty assignment; any vehicle located on a vehicle sale lot or at a commercial vehicle servicing facility; any vehicle located upon property licensed or zoned as an automobile scrapyard; any vehicle properly registered and licensed as an antique vehicle; or any vehicle housed in a garage or other building or within a fenced area which blocks the vehicle from public view.
GARAGE OR OTHER BUILDING. As contemplated by this subchapter, these words shall be given their ordinary meaning, but shall also be defined so as not to include a tarp, plastic sheeting, or any other similar material or impermanent means that are used to cover a vehicle.
OFFICER or POLICE OFFICER. A sworn member of any law enforcement agency or police department having jurisdiction to enforce this chapter and possessing police powers within the corporate limits of the town.
OWNER. The last known record titleholder of a vehicle according to the records of the state’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
PARTS. All components of a vehicle that as assembled do not constitute a complete vehicle.
PRIVATE PROPERTY. Any real property located within the corporate limits of the town which is not a public street or highway or other public property that is owned by a private person.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. A public right-of-way, street, highway, alley, park, or other state, county, or municipal property.
REMOVAL AND IMPOUNDMENT. The taking of any vehicle considered to be abandoned in violation of this subchapter by a police officer from its location by a duly-authorized towing or wrecker service to a storage facility either owned by the town or the wrecker or towing service on the request or orders of the officer, and the storage of the vehicle until it is claimed or otherwise disposed of pursuant to this chapter.
STREET or HIGHWAY. The entire width of any public way or property which has been dedicated as a public street, highway, or alley that is publicly maintained as such and is open for use by the public for the purpose of vehicular travel within the corporate limits of the town.
VEHICLE. An automobile, motorcycle, truck, trailer, semitrailer, truck tractor, tractor, bus, school bus, recreational vehicle, or motorized bicycle.
(Ord. 1997-10, passed 5-19-1997)