(A) Defined. Whenever a motor vehicle is found to be an abandoned motor vehicle as defined in § 94.01 and, in addition, is found to be inoperable, dismantled or damaged, 5 years old or older, worth less than $50, it shall be deemed to be an ABANDONED JUNK MOTOR VEHICLE.
(B) Removal.
(1) Whenever any junk motor vehicle is abandoned on the public streets or public property, or is abandoned upon privately-owned property without the permission of the owner, lessee or occupant thereof, the vehicle may be removed by or under the direction of an enforcement officer to a storage garage or area; provided, that no such vehicle shall be removed from privately-owned premises without the written request or permission of the owner, lessee or occupant thereof, unless the same has been declared to be a health or safety hazard.
(2) When the vehicle is removed from privately-owned property, the person at whose request the vehicle is removed may be required to pay or otherwise indemnify the county for any expenses incurred by reason of its removal and storage.
(C) Final disposition.
(1) Any junk motor vehicle so removed shall be held for a period of at least 15 days. The owner of the vehicle may claim his or her vehicle during the 15-day retention period by exhibiting proof of ownership to the enforcement officer and after paying all reasonable costs incident to the removal and storage of the vehicle and administrative expenses.
(2) If after the vehicle is held 15 days it remains unclaimed, the vehicle may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by private or public sale. Any proceeds derived from the disposition of junk motor vehicles shall be retained by the county for deposit in the General Fund, provided that from these proceeds the county may at its option reimburse property owners for all reasonable costs incurred by the property owner in getting junked or abandoned vehicles removed from private property. Within 15 days after final disposition, written notice thereof shall be given to the Department of Motor Vehicles indicating that the vehicle has been declared to be an abandoned junk motor vehicle, the manner of final disposition, and as full and accurate a description of the vehicle as can reasonably be determined.
(D) Consent of owner. The enforcement officer may, with the consent of the owner of a vehicle, remove and dispose of any motor vehicle as a junk motor vehicle regardless of the value, condition or age of the vehicle and without waiting the aforesaid 15-day period.
(Ord. 2, passed 4-4-1972)