351.16 REMOVAL OR IMMOBILIZATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES AGAINST WHICH THERE ARE OUTSTANDING PARKING VIOLATIONS.

   (a)   Whenever there is found any motor vehicle parked upon the streets or public grounds of the City which has received three or more parking citations issued for a violation of any provision of Section 351 of this Traffic Code which are unpaid or otherwise unsettled, such vehicle may, by towing or otherwise, be removed for safekeeping by or under the direction of a police officer to the police impound lot or such vehicle may be immobilized in such a manner as to prevent its removal or operation except by such persons as shall be authorized to do so by the Chief of Police.

   (b)   It shall be the duty of any police officer removing or immobilizing a motor vehicle or under whose direction such vehicle is removed or immobilized, to inform as soon as practicable the owner of the removed or immobilized vehicle of the nature and circumstances of the prior unsettled parking citations for which or on account of which such vehicle was removed or immobilized. In any case involving immobilization of a vehicle pursuant to this section, there shall be placed on such vehicle, in a conspicuous manner, a notice warning that such vehicle has been immobilized and that any attempt to move such vehicle might result in damage thereto.

   (c)   The owner of an immobilized motor vehicle, or other duly authorized person, shall be allowed not less than twenty-four hours from the time of immobilization to repossess or secure the release of the vehicle, following which such vehicle may be removed to a storage area for safekeeping under the direction of a police officer.

   (d)   The owner of such removed or immobilized motor vehicle, or other duly authorized person, may repossess or secure the release of the vehicle by payment of outstanding parking citations for which the vehicle was removed or immobilized and by payment of all reasonable costs incidental to the immobilization, removal and storage of the vehicle, and the efforts to locate the owner of the vehicle.

(Ord. 91-70. Passed 7-30-91.)