Chapter 10.08
ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLES*
Sections:
10.08.010 Definitions.
10.08.020 Abandoning vehicles within city prohibited.
10.08.030 Abandoning junk vehicles prohibited.
10.08.040 Time limit for allowing junk vehicles to remain on property.
10.08.050 Removal authorized – Impoundment notice and procedure.
10.08.060 Violation – Penalty.
*For statutory provisions on abandoned motor vehicles, see RCW 46.52.115 et seq.
10.08.010 Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:
(1) “Person” means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind.
(2) “Property” means any real property within the city which is not a street or highway.
(3) “Street” or “highway” means the entire width between the boundary lines of every public right-of-way when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
(4) “Vehicle” means a machine propelled by power designed to travel along the ground by use of wheels, treads, runners, or slides and to transport persons or property or pull machinery and shall include, without being limited to, automobile, truck, trailer, motorcycle, tractor, buggy and wagon. (Ord. 125 § 1, 1966).
10.08.020 Abandoning vehicles within city prohibited.
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. 125 § 2, 1966).
10.08.030 Abandoning junk vehicles prohibited.
No person shall leave any partially dismantled, non-operating, wrecked, or junked vehicle on any street or highway within the city. (Ord. 125 § 3, 1966).
10.08.040 Time limit for allowing junk vehicles to remain on property.
No person in charge or control of any property within the city, whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or otherwise, shall allow any partially dismantled, non-operating, wrecked, junked, or discarded vehicle to remain on such property longer than 30 days; and no person shall leave any such vehicle on any property within the city for a longer time than 30 days; except, that this chapter shall not apply with regard to a vehicle in an enclosed building, a vehicle on the premises of a business enterprise operated in a lawful place and manner, when necessary to the operation of such business enterprise, or a vehicle in an appropriate storage place or depository maintained in a lawful place and manner by the city. (Ord. 125 § 4, 1966).
10.08.050 Removal authorized – Impoundment notice and procedure.
The chief of police or any member of his department designated by him is authorized to remove or have removed any vehicle left at any place within the city which reasonably appears to be in violation of this chapter, or lost, stolen, or unclaimed. A vehicle shall be so removed, only after the chief of police or his duly authorized representative has first given notice to the owner or reputed owner of said vehicle, so far as he may be determined, that the vehicle is in violation of this chapter, and will be impounded if not removed within three days from the giving of the notice. Such notice will be given by placing a copy on the vehicle and either actually delivering a copy to said owner or reputed owner, or mailing a copy in the United States mail, postage prepaid. Such vehicle shall be impounded until lawfully claimed by the owner and all storage charges are paid by said owner, or such vehicle shall be disposed of in the manner provided by law. (Ord. 125 § 5, 1966).
10.08.060 Violation – Penalty.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable as provided in the general penalty codified in Chapter 1.16 KMC. (Ord. 279 Att. A § 2, 1978; Ord. 125 § 6, 1966).