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No junk shall be stored outside on public or private property. No junk vehicles shall be parked or stored outside in a residential area for a period of more than seven calendar days. In addition, no junk vehicles shall be parked outside on display for sale, lease, or other commercial purpose, by itself or with other motor vehicles for sale, lease or other commercial purpose in any area or district of the City. The provisions of this section do not apply to:
1. Structure. Any junk or junk vehicle stored within a garage or other enclosed structure.
2. Salvage Yard. Any junk or junk vehicle stored in an auto salvage yard or junkyard lawfully operated within the City.
3. Automotive Towing/Repair Business. Persons engaged in the business of towing motor vehicles, temporary storage of motor vehicles, general motor vehicle repair, and motor vehicle body repair that are lawfully operated within the City. However, any inoperable vehicles stored temporarily as part of a legal business operation as described above shall be screened from the public view via fencing. Unless the motor vehicle is actively being repaired or being readied for auction as in the case of a vehicle storage business, the vehicle shall not be stored outside for a period exceeding 20 days. These businesses must be located within a commercial, or industrial zoned area within the City. Furthermore, these businesses must be in full compliance with all other ordinances of the City and the laws of the State of Iowa.
4. Permit for Restoration. A permit may be obtained from the City for the purpose of restoring an automobile and light truck only. This permit will be valid for one year from date of issue. Permits may be obtained from City Hall at a cost of $25.00. Permit holders must store the vehicle on an all-weather surface. If the vehicle is stored outside, it must be covered with a secured non-transparent covering that covers the entire vehicle.
It is hereby declared that any junk or junk vehicle located upon private property, unless exempted by Section 51.02, constitutes a threat to the health and safety of the citizens and is a nuisance within the meaning of Section 657.1 of the Code of Iowa. If any junk or junk vehicle is kept upon private property in violation hereof, the owner of or person occupying the property upon which it is located shall be prima facie liable for said violation.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3a])
For vehicle owners who seek release of their vehicle from impound, the following procedure will be followed:
1. Full payment of all associated costs of towing, impoundment, administrative fees and any municipal infraction fines must be made in full to the City Clerk.
2. Presentation of paid receipt from the City of Washington must be presented to the contractor where the vehicle is impounded to have the vehicle released to the owner.
3. If the amount expended to abate the nuisance or condition exceeds $100.00, the City shall permit the assessment to be paid in up to 10 annual installments, to be paid in the same manner and with the same interest rates provided for assessments against benefited property under State law in accordance with Chapter 50.17 of this Code of Ordinances.
A vehicle owner may voluntarily surrender the title/proof of ownership to the City for $1.00 on a vehicle that has been declared a nuisance. If the vehicle owner chooses to surrender the title/proof of ownership of the vehicle, said owner must do so within the seven-day Notice to Abate. If the vehicle owner chooses not to surrender the title/ownership of the vehicle, all associated costs of abatement will apply if abatement is carried out by the City. This includes any towing, impoundment, administrative fees and municipal infraction fines.