(A) A motor vehicle parked upon the public way or public place at any time may by and under the direction of an officer or member of the City Police Department, be immobilized or impounded if there are $45 or more in unpaid parking violation notices, tickets or warrants issued for violations pending against the registered owner of the motor vehicle.
(B) Upon immobilization of the motor vehicle, the officer or employee causing the vehicle to be immobilized shall cause to be placed on the vehicle in a conspicuous manner notice sufficient to warn any individual that the vehicle has been immobilized and that any attempt to move the vehicle might result in damage to the vehicle.
(C) The owner of the immobilized or impounded vehicle may be permitted to secure release of the vehicle upon:
(1) Paying the full amount of the penalty along with any late fees for each violation for which there is an outstanding or otherwise unsettled parking violation, notice or warrant; and
(2) The payment of any fees as required by this section.
(D) The immobilizing device or mechanism shall remain in place for 48 hours unless the owner has complied with this section by paying penalties and fees set forth herein. If full payment has not been made within 48 hours of immobilization, the vehicle will be towed or impounded. Towing and storage fees shall be paid along with fees specified herein before the owner of the vehicle or authorized person shall be permitted to repossess or secure the release of the vehicle. The owner or other authorized person of an immobilized vehicle shall pay a fee of $45 for the immobilization. The owner of an impounded vehicle shall be subject to a towing fee and storage fee charged by the towing service.
(E) If an immobilizing device or mechanism is not used, a vehicle may still be towed and impounded as specified herein and released upon payment of the fees set forth in this section.
(F) It is unlawful for any person to remove, attempt to remove or damage any immobilization device, or to move any immobilized vehicle from the place at which the immobilization device was affixed to the vehicle, before a release is authorized by the city. Any person who tampers with an immobilization device or moves or attempts to move a vehicle to which the device was affixed is subject to the general penalty provisions of § 10.99.
(Prior Code, § 17-346) (Ord. 1329, passed 10-5-2020) Penalty, see § 72.99