§ 10.24.010. Abandoned vehicles— Authority to remove

A. Whenever any person shall abandon and leave a motor vehicle on a highway or other property open to use by the public for a period of time in excess of forty-eight (48) hours, the city may remove the motor vehicle from such highway or other property and place or store the same in a safe and convenient place. If such motor vehicle has displayed thereon a registration plate issued by the Division of Vehicles and has been registered with said division, the city or its designated agent shall mail a notice by certified mail to the registered owner thereof, addressed to the address as shown on the certificate of registration, and to the lienholder, if any, of record in the county in which the title shows the owner resides, if registered in this state, stating that if the owner or lienholder does not claim such motor vehicle and pay the removal and storage charges incurred by the city on the same within fifteen (15) days from the date of the mailing of the notice, that the same will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder for cash.

B. The city shall use reasonable diligence in determining the title owner, or if from a non-title state, the registered owner of the vehicle, and shall inquire by mail of the office of register of deeds of the county in which the title shows the owner resides, if registered in the state, as to whether there are any lienholders of record.

(Prior code § 14-301)