Chapter 8.10
ABANDONED VEHICLES
Sections:
8.10.040 Violation – Impoundment.
8.10.060 Owner responsibility.
8.10.070 Disposal of vehicle – Value in excess of $100.00.
8.10.080 Disposal of vehicle – Value less than $100.00.
8.10.090 Disposal of vehicle – Notification to Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles.
8.10.010 Abandoned vehicles.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by Wis. Stat. § 343.40. (Ord. 2010-9 § 2. 2008 code § 6.07(1))
8.10.020 Vehicle defined.
For the purposes of this section only, the term “vehicle” shall mean any mode of transportation including but not limited to: motor vehicles, trucks, tractors, trailers, semi trailers, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, watercraft, devices operated upon rails, buses, motor scooters, motorcycles, mopeds and snowmobiles. (2008 code § 6.07(2))
8.10.030 Unattended vehicle.
No person shall leave unattended any vehicle on any public highway or private public property for such time and under such circumstances as to cause the vehicle to reasonably appear to have been abandoned. (2008 code § 6.07(3))
8.10.040 Violation – Impoundment.
Any vehicle in violation of this chapter shall be impounded by the Chief of Police of the Town of East Troy, Wisconsin, until lawfully claimed or disposed of under ETMC 8.10.070 or 8.10.080 except that if the Chief of Police or any member of the Police Department authorized by the Chief of Police determines that the cost of towing and storage charges for the impoundment would exceed the value of the vehicle, the vehicle may be junked by the Chief of Police prior to expiration of the impoundment, upon his determination that the vehicle is not wanted for evidence or other reasons. (2008 code § 6.07(4))
8.10.050 Removal of vehicle.
Any Town Police Officer who discovers any vehicle on any public highway or public property which reasonably appears to have been abandoned shall cause the vehicle to be removed to a suitable place or impoundment designated by the Chief of Police. (2008 code § 6.07(5))
8.10.060 Owner responsibility.
The owner of any abandoned vehicle, except a stolen vehicle, is responsible for the abandonment and all costs of impounding and disposing of the vehicle. Costs not recovered from the sale of the vehicle may be recovered in a civil action by the Town against the owner. (2008 code § 6.07(6))
8.10.070 Disposal of vehicle – Value in excess of $100.00.
Any abandoned vehicle which is determined by the Chief of Police or any duly authorized member of the Town Police Department to have a value in excess of $100.00 shall be retained in storage for a period of 14 days after certified mail notice has been sent to the owner and lien holders of record to permit reclamation of the vehicle after payment of accrued charges; thereafter the Chief of Police shall dispose of the vehicle by sale at public auction, after publication in the official newspaper of a Class 1 notice, pursuant to the provisions of Wis. Stat. Ch. 985, of the time and place of such sale and description of the vehicle to be sold. The sale shall be conducted in the same manner as an execution sale of personal property. (2008 code § 6.07(7))
8.10.080 Disposal of vehicle – Value less than $100.00.
Any abandoned vehicle which is determined by the Chief of Police or his duly authorized deputy to have a value of less than $100.00 may be disposed of by direct sale to a licensed salvage dealer upon determination that the vehicle is not reported stolen. (2008 code § 6.07(8))
8.10.090 Disposal of vehicle – Notification to Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles.
Within five days after the sale or disposal of the vehicle as provided in ETMC 8.10.070 or 8.10.080, the Chief of Police shall advise the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles or any other appropriate state agency of the sale or disposition thereof. (2008 code § 6.07(9))