(a) For purposes of this section, the following words and phrases are defined as follows:
(1) "Director" means the Safety Service Director or the Code Enforcement Director.
(2) "Junked Vehicle" means any motor vehicle that is inoperable; has no value except for salvage or junk purposes; is incapable of being propelled on its own; is wrecked, dismantled, or discarded; has one or more wheels missing; has one or more tires missing, has one or more flat tires; has one or more windows missing or broken; or has missing parts necessary for the vehicle's operation.
(3) "Unlicensed Vehicle" means any motor vehicle that does not display a valid, unexpired rear license plate that bears the distinctive number and registration mark assigned to the motor vehicle by the Ohio Director of Public Safety, including any county identification sticker and any validation sticker issued under Ohio R.C. 4503.19 and 4503.191, or that is not duly registered with any other state.
(b) Storing, Parking, or Keeping Junked or Unlicensed Vehicles.
(1) No person shall use any property in the City for storing, parking, or otherwise keeping a Junked Vehicle or Unlicensed Vehicle for a period in excess of two (2) weeks unless the Junked Vehicle or Unlicensed Vehicle is in an enclosed garage or accessory building or covered pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of this section.
(2) Any person who covers or stores a Junked Vehicle or Unlicensed Vehicle is not permitted to use tarps, blankets, or anything of the sort not designed specifically for covering and storing a vehicle and only covers designed specifically for the purpose of covering or storing a vehicle are permitted.
(3) If the Director reasonably believes that a Junked Vehicle is inoperable, the Director may request the owner or person claiming control of the Junked Vehicle to demonstrate that it is operable.
(c) Exceptions.
(1) The following vehicles are exempt from subsection (b) of this section:
A. A Junked Vehicle or Unlicensed Vehicle on the property of a business enterprise that is operated in a lawful manner when necessary to the operation of the business enterprise.
B. A Junked Vehicle or Unlicensed Vehicle stored in a place or depository maintained at a location officially designated by, and in a manner approved by, the City.
(d) Penalty.
(1) The owner of the property upon which a Junked Vehicle or Unlicensed Vehicle is located and/or the owner the Junked Vehicle or Unlicensed Vehicle may be charged with a violation of this section.
(2) Any person who is found guilty of a violation of this section is guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor for the first offense and misdemeanor of the fourth degree for each subsequent offense.
(3) Every day on which a violation of this section is found to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. 21-002. Passed 1-13-21.)