Chapter 10.20
ABANDONED VEHICLES
Sections:
10.20.030 Disabled vehicles – Leaving on streets.
10.20.060 Violation – Penalty.
10.20.010 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the definitions contained in this section are applicable:
A. “Abandoned vehicle” means a vehicle which reasonably appears to be lost, stolen or unclaimed.
B. “Disabled vehicle” means any vehicle which is nonoperable, partially dismantled, or wrecked.
C. “Person” means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
D. “Police officer” includes any regular or reserve officer of the city.
E. “Property” means any real property within the city, including city property which is not a street or highway.
F. “Vehicle” means any machine propelled by power other than human power designed to travel along the ground by use of wheels, treads, runners, or slides and transport persons or property or pull machinery, and includes, without limitation, automobiles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, tractors, buggies and wagons. (Ord. 714 § 3, 1993; Ord. 360 § 1, 1967).
10.20.020 Prohibition.
No person shall abandon any vehicle within the city, and no person shall leave any vehicle at any place within the city for such time and under such circumstances as to cause such vehicle reasonably to appear to have been abandoned. (Ord. 360 § 2, 1967).
10.20.030 Disabled vehicles – Leaving on streets.
No person shall leave any disabled vehicle on any street or highway for a period longer than 24 hours. (Ord. 714 § 4, 1993; Ord. 360 § 3, 1967).
10.20.050 Impoundment.
A. Any police officer is authorized to remove or have removed any disabled vehicle found on any street or highway in violation of SMC 10.20.030, any vehicle parked in violation of SMC 10.08.010, any vehicle parked in violation of SMC 10.08.025, any vehicle which is abandoned, or any other vehicle found upon any street or highway under circumstances constituting a hazard to the safe movement of traffic.
B. Such vehicle shall be impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of in the manner provided by the laws of the state.
C. If the vehicle to be impounded is parked upon a street or highway, the police officer shall issue a notice of infraction and affix the same to the windshield or other readily visible place upon the vehicle and impound or have the same impounded without further notice. (Ord. 935 § 3, 2003; Ord. 714 § 6, 1993; Ord. 360 § 6, 1967. Formerly 10.20.060).
10.20.060 Violation – Penalty.
Any violation of this chapter shall be a civil infraction, the penalty for which shall be as fixed by the court but not to exceed $150.00. Each day or portion thereof such violation continues shall be deemed a separate infraction, and subject to a separate penalty therefor. (Ord. 714 § 7, 1993; Ord. 360 § 7, 1967. Formerly 10.20.070).