(A) Citation on illegally parked vehicle. When a vehicle without an operator is found parked in violation of a restriction imposed by this title or state law, the officer finding the vehicle shall note the license number and any other information displayed on the vehicle that may identify the owner and shall attach a parking citation to the vehicle. The citation shall instruct the operator to answer to the charge at the next regularly scheduled municipal court session or pay the penalty imposed prior to that time at the City Hall during posted business hours.
(B) Failure to comply with parking citation. If the operator does not respond to a parking citation attached to the vehicle by the end of the court session listed on the citation, the Chief of Police shall send a letter to the owner of the vehicle informing the owner of the violation and giving notice that if the citation is disregarded for a period of 30 days:
(1) The fine will be doubled; and
(2) If the vehicle has three or more outstanding citations or $100 or more in unpaid fines, it may be impounded, and an impounded vehicle shall not be released until all outstanding fines and charges are paid.
(C) Owner responsibility. The owner of a vehicle that is in violation of a parking restriction shall be responsible for the offense unless the operator used the vehicle without the owner’s consent.
(D) Registered owner presumption. In a proceeding charging violation of a parking restriction against a vehicle owner, proof that the vehicle was registered to the defendant at the time of the violation constitutes a presumption that the defendant was the owner.
(Prior Code, § 72.06) (Ord. 206, passed 3-19-1990) Penalty, see § 70.99