Whenever the Chief of Police shall determine that an abandoned motor vehicle or unregistered motor vehicle is located or stored in the open upon private property within the corporate limits of the town, he or she shall issue an order to the owner of such vehicle to remove such vehicle within ten days. Notice of such order shall be placed upon such vehicle and copies of such notice shall be served upon any adult owning or occupying the real estate on which such vehicle is located and also upon the owner of the vehicle, if his or her name and whereabouts be known. If no owner or occupant of the real estate or owner of such vehicle can be found, a notice affixed to any building on the real estate shall constitute notice to the owner and/or occupant of the real estate and to the owner of such vehicle. If there is no building on the real estate, such notice may be affixed elsewhere on the real estate. If such vehicle is not removed within ten days pursuant to such order and notice, and if such order is not stayed by the issuing officer pursuant to a written request showing good cause for a permanent or temporary stay, the Chief of Police shall cause such vehicle to be removed by a wrecker service, the cost and expense of such removal and storage by the wrecker service shall be paid by the owner of such vehicle.
(1996 Code, § 9-9)