It shall be unlawful to tow or remove or immobilize, by use of any wheel lock or other method, a motor vehicle that is parked on private property or private parking lot, without the permission of the owner or lessee of the motor vehicle, unless notice is posted in accordance with the provisions of this section on the private property from which the towing, removal, or immobilization occurs. The notice shall meet the following requirements.
(A) The notice must be in the form of a sign structure, not less than 24 inches by 24 inches and not larger than six square feet, constructed of metal, plastic or other durable material.
(1) The notice shall be prominently posted on the private property at each access or curb cut allowing vehicle access to the property, and within five feet of the street right-of-way line.
(2) If there are no curb or access barriers, notices shall be posted not less than every 50 feet facing the frontage of the public street and facing the private parking lot.
(3) In addition, a sign, not less than 12 inches by 18 inches in size, with lettering on both sides, may be posted at each parking space from which an unauthorized vehicle could be towed, removed, or immobilized.
(B) The notice shall clearly display the following:
(1) In not less than one-and-one-half-inch-high letters, red in color on a contrasting white background, the words "tow-away zone” or “towing enforced”.
(2) In not less than one-inch-high letters, red in color on a contrasting white background, a statement that parking is never authorized by stating “private property - no parking”, or where parking is permitted under limited circumstances, by stating “authorized parking only” or “leased parking only”, or “parking for customers only” or “parking for residents only”, or a similar phrase that specifically identifies the conditions under which someone may park on the property. If parking is only allowed for a specified time, then the sign shall specifically state the days and hours when parking is permitted.
(3) In not less than one-inch-high letters, red in color on a contrasting white background, the phone number that a person can call to retrieve the towed vehicle, and the name and address of the storage facility where the vehicle is stored.
(C) The sign displaying the required notices shall be permanently installed, with the bottom of the sign not less than three feet above ground level, and the top of the sign not more than eight feet above ground level.
(Ord. 2023-01, passed 5-9-2023) Penalty, see § 75.99