For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE. A vehicle that:
(1) Has been left upon a public street or highway in violation of a law or ordinance that regulates or prohibits parking or that requires the display of a valid license plate or registration sticker;
(2) Is left on property owned or operated by the town longer than 24 hours;
(3) Is left on any public street or highway for longer than seven days; or
(4) Is determined by law enforcement to be a hazard to the motoring public regardless of time.
HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD VEHICLE. A motor vehicle left upon a street or highway or private property longer than 72 hours that has been declared a safety hazard by a code enforcement official without regard to whether the vehicle is abandoned or junked as defined in this section and:
(1) A breeding ground or harbor for mosquitoes, insects, snakes or pests or vehicles used for storage in a manner which may attract such pests;
(2) A point of heavy growth of weeds or other noxious vegetation over eight inches in height;
(3) A point of collection for pools or ponds of water;
(4) A source of danger for children from exposed surfaces of metal, glass or other rigid materials;
(5) Is a breeding ground or harbor for rats;
(6) Is a point of concentration or source of leaking of uncontained gasoline, oil or other flammable or explosive materials;
(7) Is positioned in a way that there is a danger it will fall or turn over; or
(8) Is a source of danger for children because they might become entrapped in areas of confinement that cannot be opened from the inside.
JUNKED MOTOR VEHICLE. An abandoned motor vehicle that also:
(1) Is partially dismantled or wrecked;
(2) Cannot be self-propelled or moved in the manner in which it was originally intended to move;
(3) Is more than five years old and worth less than $500; or
(4) Does not display a current license plate.
MOTOR VEHICLE or VEHICLE. All machines designed or intended to travel over land or water by self-propulsion or while attached to any self-propelled vehicle.
PRIVATE TOWER. An individual or company engaged in the business of towing and storing motor vehicles that tows vehicles, pursuant to an arrangement with the town, at the town’s request or authorization.
(Ord. passed 9-9-2021)
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see G.S. § 160A-303