§ 96.25 SALE AND DISPOSITION OF UNCLAIMED VEHICLES.

   Any abandoned, nuisance or junked motor vehicle which is not claimed by the owner or other party entitled to possession will be disposed of by the tow truck operator or towing business having custody of the vehicle. Disposition of such a vehicle shall be carried out in coordination with the town and in accordance with G.S. Chapter 44A, Article I.

(Prior Code, § 90.11)  (Ord. passed - - )

§ 96.26 CONDITIONS ON REMOVAL OF VEHICLES FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY.

   (A)   As a general policy, the town will not remove a vehicle from private property if the owner, occupant or lessee of such property could have the vehicle removed under applicable state law procedures. In no case will a vehicle be removed by the town from private property without a written request of the owner, occupant or lessee, except in those cases where a vehicle is a nuisance vehicle or is a junked motor vehicle which has been ordered removed by the Code Enforcement Office or designee.

   (B)   The town may require any person requesting the removal of an abandoned, nuisance or junked motor vehicle from private property to indemnify the town against any loss, expense or liability incurred because of the removal, storage or sale thereof.

(Prior Code, § 90.12)  (Ord. passed - - )

§ 96.27 PROTECTION AGAINST CRIMINAL OR CIVIL LIABILITY.

   No person shall be held to answer in any civil or criminal action to any owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of an abandoned, nuisance or junked motor vehicle for disposing of such vehicle as provided in this chapter.

(Prior Code, § 90.13)  (Ord. passed - - )

§ 96.28 EXCEPTIONS.

   Nothing in this chapter shall apply to any vehicle that is:

   (A)   Located in a bona fide “automobile graveyard” or “junkyard”, as defined in G.S. § 136-143, in accordance with the Junkyard Control Act, G.S. § 136-141 et seq.;

   (B)   In an enclosed building;

   (C)   On the premises of a business enterprise being operated in a lawful place and manner if the vehicle is necessary to the operation of the enterprise; or

   (D)   In an appropriate storage place or depository maintained in a lawful place and manner by the town.

(Prior Code, § 90.14)  (Ord. passed - - )

§ 96.29 UNLAWFUL REMOVAL OF IMPOUNDED VEHICLES

   It shall be unlawful for any person to remove or attempt to remove from any storage facility designated by the town any vehicle which has been impounded pursuant to the provisions of this chapter unless and until all towing and impoundment fees which are due, or bond in lieu of such fees, have been paid.

(Prior Code, § 90.15)  (Ord. passed - - )  Penalty, see § 10.99