(A) Any abandoned, nuisance, or junked motor vehicle which has been ordered removed may, as directed by the town, be removed to a storage garage or area by a tow truck operator or towing business contracted to perform such services for the town. Whenever such a vehicle is removed, the authorized town official shall immediately notify the last known registered owner of the vehicle with such notice to include the following;
(1) The description of the removed vehicle;
(2) The location where the vehicle is stored;
(3) The violation with which the owner is charged, if any;
(4) The procedure the owner must follow to redeem the vehicle; and
(5) The procedure the owner must follow to request a probable cause hearing on the removal.
(B) The town shall attempt to give notice to the vehicle owner by telephone; however, whether or not the owner is reached by telephone, written notice, indicating the information set forth in division (A)(1) through (5) above, shall also be mailed to the registered owner’s last known address, unless this notice is waived in writing by the vehicle owner or his or her agent.
(C) If the vehicle is registered in North Carolina, notice shall be given within 24 hours. If the vehicle is not registered in the state, notice shall be given to the registered owner within 72 hours from the removal of the vehicle.
(D) Whenever an abandoned, nuisance, or junked motor vehicle is removed, and such vehicle has no valid registration or registration plates, the authorized town official shall make reasonable efforts, including checking the vehicle identification number to determine the last known registered owner of the vehicle and to notify him or her of the information set forth in division (A)(1) through (5) above.
(Ord. passed 5-4-1993; Am. Ord. 20120501-02, passed 5-1-2012)