Chapter 8.15
ABANDONED VEHICLES
Sections:
8.15.020 Unlawful to abandon vehicles.
8.15.010 Definitions.
“Abandoned vehicle” means a vehicle that has been left on the public right-of-way or on any public parking lot controlled by the city for a period of seventy-two hours or more. (Ord. 00-012 § 2, 2000)
8.15.020 Unlawful to abandon vehicles.
It shall be unlawful for person owning a motor vehicle to leave said motor vehicle on a public right-of-way or in any public parking lot controlled by the city for a period of seventy-two hours or more. (Ord. 00-012 § 3, 2000)
8.15.030 Notification.
A. Upon determining that there is an “abandoned vehicle,” the city shall place a notice on said vehicle containing the following information:
1. The date and time the notice was attached;
2. The identity of the officer placing the notice;
3. A statement that if the vehicle is not removed within twenty-four hours from the time the notice is attached, the vehicle may be deemed to be “abandoned” and impounded from the public right-of-way or parking lot and stored at the owner’s expense;
4. The address and telephone number where additional information may be obtained.
B. In addition to the foregoing notice, the Battle Ground police department shall make reasonable effort to learn the identity of the last owner of record and further make reasonable effort to contact said owner by telephone or in person with the additional effort to give the owner the information contained on the notice found in subsection A of this section. (Ord. 00-012 § 4, 2000)
8.15.040 Impoundment.
At the direction of a Battle Ground police officer, a registered tow-truck operator may remove any abandoned vehicle on the public right-of-way or on any city-controlled public parking lot after the foregoing notification has been accomplished. The towing, impoundment, sale of abandoned vehicle, and additional notification shall be as prescribed in existing Washington State law. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a Battle Ground police officer from towing a motor vehicle when authorized under other state law or other city codes. (Ord. 00-012 § 5, 2000)
8.15.050 Violation—Penalty.
The penalty for violation of this chapter shall be an infraction with a fine to be imposed not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars in addition to enforcement proceedings including abatement as provided herein. (Ord. 10-23 § 1, 2010: Ord. 10-11 § 1, 2010)