(A) Any vehicle that is towed for a violation of this chapter shall be held and not released until the registered owner pays the reasonable costs of towing and storage, and any unpaid fines.
(B) (1) If a vehicle has been towed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and is being held for the payment of fines and reasonable costs, the owner may request a hearing to determine the validity of the action taken with respect to the vehicle.
(2) The Hearing Officer may order the release of any vehicle, without cost to the owner, if the Hearing Officer finds that there is a valid defense to the violation, or if doing so would be in the interest of justice.
(C) If an owner pays the fines and reasonable costs to obtain the release of the vehicle and then successfully contests the violation, resulting in a dismissal of the citation under § 71.20, then the city shall refund to the owner the amount of the fine.
(D) If an owner pays the fines and reasonable costs to obtain the release of the vehicle and then successfully contests the violation, resulting in a reduction of the fine under § 71.16(C), then the city shall refund to the owner the difference between the full amount of the fine and the reduced amount imposed by the Hearing Officer.
(Prior Code, § 10.10.310) (Ord. 01-2020, passed 1-15-2020; Ord. 16-2020, passed 5-20-2020)