(a) An owner of a vehicle is not jointly liable with an operator of the vehicle whose act or omission resulted in a parking infraction for the parking infraction or any fine, penalty, fee, processing fee, or cost arising out of the parking infraction under this chapter if either of the following apply:
(1) The owner answers the charge of the parking infraction under Sections 453.05 or 453.06 hereof, the answer denies that he committed the infraction and requests a hearing concerning the infraction, the owner additionally asserts and provides reasonable evidence at that time to prove that the vehicle, at the time of the commission of the parking infraction, was being used by the operator without the owner's express or implied consent, and the Parking Violations Bureau determines that the vehicle was being used without the owner's express or implied consent at that time. If the Parking Violations Bureau does not so determine, it shall conduct the hearing concerning the infraction according to Section 453.07 hereof.
(2) The owner answers the charge of the parking infraction under Sections 453.05 or 453.06 hereof, the answer denies that he committed the parking infraction, the owner additionally submits evidence at that time that proves that, at the time of the alleged commission of the infraction, the owner was engaged in the business of renting or leasing vehicles under a written rental or lease agreements, and the owner additionally submits evidence, in accordance with division (b) of this section, that proves that, at the time of the alleged commission of the parking infraction, the vehicle in question was in the care, custody, or control of a person other than the owner pursuant to a written rental or lease agreement. If the owner does not so prove, the Parking Violations Bureau shall conduct a hearing relative to the infraction according to Section 453.07 hereof.
(3) The owner, at a hearing concerning the parking infraction conducted in accordance with Section 453.07 hereof, proves that the vehicle, at the time of the parking infraction, was being used by the operator without the owner's express or implied consent or proves the facts described in division (a)(2) of this section.
(b) (1) An owner of a vehicle who is engaged in the business of renting or leasing vehicles under written rental or lease agreements, but who does not satisfy the additional requirements of division (a)(2) of this section, is not liable for any penalties or processing fees arising out of a parking infraction involving the vehicle if, at the time of the commission of the parking infraction, the vehicle was in the care, custody, or control of a person other than the owner pursuant to a written rental or lease agreement, and if the owner answers the charge of the parking infraction by denying that he committed the parking infraction or by paying the fine arising out of the parking infraction within 30 days after actual receipt of the parking ticket charging the infraction or, if the owner did not receive the parking ticket, within 30 days after receipt of the notification of infraction.
(2) Proof that the vehicle was in the care, custody, or control of a person other than the owner pursuant to a written rental or lease agreement at the time of the alleged parking infraction shall be established by sending an affidavit to that effect, on the form prescribed by the Parking Violations Bureau, to the Parking Violations Bureau within 30 days after receipt of the notification of infraction. The affidavit shall include the full name, address, phone number, driver license number, driver license issue state, and, if known, the telephone number and email address, of the person who had care, custody, or control of the vehicle at the time of the parking infraction. The submission of an affidavit shall be prima-facie evidence that a vehicle was in the care, custody, or control of a person other than the owner. Within 30 days of receipt of the affidavit, the Parking Violations Bureau shall return a receipted copy of the affidavit to the rental or lease company. In addition, any information required by division (a)(2) of this section may be provided electronically in a format acceptable to the Village or the Violations Clerk.
(Ord. 962-09. Passed 6-8-09; Ord. 1445-24. Passed 6-4-24.)