(A) Regardless of whether a municipality does its own removal and disposal of motor vehicles or contracts with another person to do so, the municipality shall provide a hearing procedure for the owner.
(B) For purposes of this section, the definitions in G.S. § 20-219.9 apply.
(C) If the municipality operates in such a way that the person who tows the vehicle is responsible for collecting towing fees, all provisions of G.S. Chapter 20, Article 7A, apply.
(D) If the municipality operates in a way that it is responsible for collecting towing fees, it shall:
(1) Provide by contract or ordinance for a schedule of reasonable towing fees;
(2) Provide a procedure for a prompt fair hearing to contest the towing;
(3) Provide for an appeal to district court from that hearing;
(4) Authorize release of the vehicle at any time after towing by the posting of a bond or paying of the fees due; and
(5) Provide a sale procedure similar to that provided in G.S. §§ 44A-4, 44A-5 and 44A-6; except that, no hearing in addition to the probable cause hearing is required. If no one purchases the vehicle at the sale and if the value of the vehicle is less than the amount of the lien, the municipality may destroy it.
(Prior Code, § 96.21)
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see G.S. Chapter 20, Article 7A and §§ 20-219.9, 44A-4 through 44A-6 and 160A-303(d)