(A) Any nuisance motor vehicle found to be in violation of this chapter may be removed to a storage area or garage if the Code Administrator finds that it is a health or safety hazard.
(B) Any junked or abandoned motor vehicle found to be in violation of this chapter may be removed to a storage area or garage if the Code Administrator finds that it is a health or safety hazard or on the written request of the owner, le4ssee or occupant of the real property where the vehicle is located. If the owner, lessee or occupant is not the owner or operator of the vehicle notice shall be given as required in § 94.07 below.
(C) Vehicles abandoned on the streets. For vehicles left on the public streets and highways, the City Council hereby determines that the immediate removal of such vehicles may be warranted when they are:
(1) Obstructing traffic;
(2) Parked in violation of an ordinance prohibiting or restricting parking;
(3) Parked in a no-stopping or standing zone;
(4) Parked in loading zones;
(5) Parked in bus zones;
(6) Parked in violation of temporary parking restrictions;
(7) Abandoned or nuisance vehicles left on city-owned property other than the streets or highways longer than 24 hours, and on private property without permission of the property's owner, occupant or lessee for longer than two hours;
(8) Where the police or Code Administrator find a special need for prompt action to protect and maintain the public health, safety, and welfare abandoned or nuisance vehicles may be removed without notice. By way of illustration and not of limitation, such circumstances include vehicles blocking or obstructing ingress or egress to businesses and residences, vehicles parked in such location or manner as to pose a traffic hazard, and vehicles causing damage to public or private property; and
(D) Contractors (including Person County's contractors) provide towing services within the City. The contractors shall follow the requirements of G.S. § 20-219.9 by following the following procedures:
(1) If the vehicle with a valid N.C. registration or registration plate is towed, notice shall be given to the owner within 24 hours;
(2) If the vehicle with a valid registration or registration plate from a state other than N.C. is towed, notice shall be given to the owner within 72 hours;
(3) If the vehicle has neither a valid registration or a registration plate is towed, the county shall make reasonable efforts, including checking the vehicle identification number, to determine and notify the last known registered owner of the vehicle;
(4) Attaching a notice that the vehicle is subject to towing on or after a specified date is affixed to the windshield for seven days before the towing occurs.
(5) The notice shall contain:
(a) A description of the vehicle;
(b) The place where the vehicle is stored;
(c) The violation with which the owner is charged, if any;
(d) The procedures the owner must follow to have the vehicle returned; and
(e) The procedure the owner must follow to have a probable cause hearing.
(6) The notice shall be given by telephone if feasible and also mailed to the owner's last known address, unless the owner gives written permission to tow without notice.
(Ord. passed - -17)