Pursuant to VA Code § 46.2-1213:
(A) A uniformed deputy or other employee of the Northampton County Sheriff's Department who is specifically authorized by the Sheriff or his designee may order the removal for safekeeping of any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, or parts thereof, if it is:
(1) Found on the public highway or right-of- way thereof unattended by the owner or operator and same constitutes a hazard to traffic; or
(2) Illegally parked; or
(3) Left unattended for more than ten days either upon public property or on privately owned property without the permission of the property owner, lessee, or occupant; or
(4) Immobilized on a public roadway by weather conditions or other emergency situation; or
(5) Presumed to be abandoned under the criteria set out in VA Code § 46.2-1213.
(B) The removal authorized in division (A) above shall be carried out by or under the direction uniformed deputy or other employee of the Northampton County Sheriff's Department who is specifically authorized by the Sheriff or his designee. Provided, that nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize removal of motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, and parts thereof from private property without the written request of the owner, lessee, or occupant of the premises. A person at whose request the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is removed from private property shall indemnify the county, city, or town against any loss or expense incurred by reason of removal, storage, or sale thereof. As promptly as possible, the removal of any such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, or parts thereof, shall be reported to the County Administrator of Northampton County and to the owner of the property removed. Before obtaining possession of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part thereof, the owner shall pay to the parties entitled thereto all costs incidental to its removal and storage and locating the owner. If the owner fails or refuses to pay the cost or if his identity or whereabouts is unknown and unascertainable after a diligent search has been made, and after notice to him at his last known address and to the holder of any lien of record with the office of the Department against the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, the vehicle shall be treated as an abandoned vehicle under the provisions of VA Code Title 46.2, Article 1, as amended.
(Ord. passed 8-12-1991; Am. Ord. passed 11--19-2013)