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Except as otherwise provided by law, title to any vehicle impounded by a police officer not reclaimed by the registered owner or any lienholder of record within 30 days of the written notice shall vest with the county government where the vehicle is impounded.
(Prior Code, § 5-4-8) (Ord. 345, passed 4-21-2005; Ord. 2024-01, passed 4-4-2024)
(A) Placement of notice on vehicle. A notice of intent to impound an abandoned vehicle by a police officer shall be placed in a prominent position on a vehicle when a police officer reasonably believes it is abandoned. The notice of intent shall remain on the vehicle at least 24 hours prior to removal if abandoned on a highway and five days if abandoned on public or private property and impounded by a police officer.
(B) Removal from private property; conditions for posting notice. In the event a JUNK VEHICLE, as defined in § 5-4-9, a notice of intent to impound shall be posted when the following conditions have been satisfied:
(1) The 30-day notice as required by § 5-4-6(C) to the owner of the property has expired; and
(2) No action has been taken by the owner of the property, or any other person, to bring the vehicle into compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(C) Time for posting notice on vehicle. The posted notice of intent to impound a JUNK VEHICLE shall be placed upon the vehicle not less than 24 hours prior to the time the vehicle is removed.
(D) Information in notice. The notice of intent to impound shall contain not less than the following information:
(1) The date and time the notice was posted on the vehicle;
(2) The fact that, after the expiration of 24 hours after the time of posting the notice, the town intends to remove the vehicle; and
(3) The address and telephone number of the town agency which can be contacted to prevent the removal of the vehicle.
(Prior Code, § 5-4-9) (Ord. 345, passed 4-21-2005; Ord. 2024-01, passed 4-4-2024)
In the event that the registered owner, any lienholder, or authorized agent of the owner contacts the town department specified on the notice of intent to impound and indicates that the vehicle will be brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and other applicable law, the town shall suspend the removal of the vehicle for not less than 48 hours in order to obtain written assurance from the owner or agent that the vehicle will be brought into compliance within a specified period of time. If the vehicle is brought into compliance within the specified time period with the requirements of this chapter, then the impound procedure is terminated. If the owner, however, fails to bring the vehicle into compliance within the specified time period, then the town may complete the removal of the vehicle without beginning the process anew.
(Prior Code, § 5-4-10) (Ord. 345, passed 4-21-2005; Ord. 2024-01, passed 4-4-2024)
If any vehicle is moved from any highway, street, alley, or public or private property as provided for in this chapter, the owner of the vehicle may not institute in any state court a suit in law or equity against any police officer or his or her agent, or the town or its employees or agents for the recovery of the value of any item in or on the vehicle that may be lost, stolen, or damaged resulting therefrom.
(Prior Code, § 5-4-14) (Ord. 345, passed 4-21-2005; Ord. 2024-01, passed 4-4-2024)
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