[CC 1975 §51.500; Ord. No. 04-69 §1, 9-21-2004]
Except where otherwise indicated by the context, the following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this Article:
DAMAGED, INOPERABLE OR DISABLED VEHICLE
Is any vehicle which is incapable of traveling under its own power upon the public streets because of mechanical, structural or other similar failures or defects, or which is not registered, or which is improperly registered, or which does not display a valid license and current inspection certificate, if such are required by the State in which the vehicle is registered in order to operate the vehicle upon public streets, except those vehicles which are on the premises of a duly licensed automobile repair or sales business or in a duly licensed automobile junking yard.
JUNK
Shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 610.100 of this Code.
VEHICLE
Is any machine propelled by power other than human power designed to travel along the ground by use of wheels, treads, runners or slides, including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, tractors, buggies and wagons or any part thereof.
[CC 1975 §51.510; Ord. No. 04-69 §2, 9-21-2004]
A. 
The following vehicles are hereby declared to be a public nuisance:
1. 
Any damaged, inoperable or disabled vehicle, part thereof, or junk located on any property, street or highway which is not, for more than seventy-two (72) hours, either stored in an accessory building, or garage, or enclosed by a privacy fence constructed and maintained in accordance with Section 405.085 of this Code, so that such vehicle, part thereof, or junk may not be seen; or
2. 
Any damaged, inoperable or disabled vehicle, part thereof, or junk, located on any property, street or highway which presents a hazard to children, or harbors tall grass, weeds or other vegetation, or creates a fire hazard, or affords a breeding place or nesting place for mosquitoes, flies, rodents, rats or other vermin; or any vehicle, part thereof, or junk allowed to remain unmoved on any street or highway for seventy-two (72) hours is a public nuisance.
[CC 1975 §51.520; Ord. No. 04-69 §3, 9-21-2004]
It shall be unlawful for any person to create or maintain a nuisance as defined in Section 215.140. In addition to the abatement procedures provided in this Article, any person convicted by the Municipal Court of a violation of this Section shall be subject to the penalties provided for in Section 100.230 of this Code.
[CC 1975 §51.530]
Whenever the Chief of Police or his/her duly authorized representative determines that any vehicle or junk is a nuisance as defined herein, he/she shall cause written notice to be served upon the owner of the vehicle or junk, if he/she can be located or the person in custody of such vehicle or junk, by registered mail or by personal service. The notice shall state that the vehicle or junk is deemed to be a nuisance within the provisions of Section 215.140 hereof, and shall briefly state facts deemed to constitute such vehicle or junk a nuisance within the terms of this Article, and state that the nuisance shall be abated within seven (7) days from receipt of such notice.
[CC 1975 §51.540]
When the owner or custodian of any nuisance as defined in Section 215.140 cannot be located by reasonable search, the notice shall be attached to the property, briefly stating facts deemed to constitute the property a nuisance and stating that the nuisance shall be abated within seven (7) days of the date notice was posted, or if the vehicle is on public property, within two (2) days of the date notice was posted.
[CC 1975 §51.550]
Any person receiving the notice provided for above shall comply with the provisions of the notice requiring abatement.
[CC 1975 §51.560]
If not removed within the times specified in the notice (provided for by Section 215.160 and 215.170), the vehicle or junk shall be transported to a storage area by or at the direction of the Chief of Police or his/her duly authorized representative at the expense of the owner or person in custody thereof. It shall then be stored for a period of at least ninety (90) days, and the person entitled to possession thereof may redeem the property by payment to the City of the actual cost of its removal and a reasonable storage fee. If the vehicle or junk is unredeemed after the expiration of the ninety (90) day period, the Chief of Police may sell it to the highest bidder or, if it has no sale value, may otherwise dispose of it. Any money received from disposal of any vehicle or junk shall be applied to the expenses charged to the owner or person in charge thereof, and any excess held in escrow or returned to him/her.
[CC 1975 §51.570]
A. 
Prior to the sale of any such property, the Chief of Police shall cause to be posted in the City Hall, place of storage and at least one (1) other public place in the City, a notice of sale stating:
1. 
That the City is selling abandoned property;
2. 
The color, make, year, motor number and serial number, if available, and any other information necessary for an accurate identification of the property;
3. 
The terms of the sale; and
4. 
The date, time, and place of the sale.
This notice shall be published not less than ten (10) days or more than twenty (20) days prior to the date of the sale.
[CC 1975 §51.580]
The Chief of Police or his/her duly authorized representative may enter upon private property for inspection or for the purpose of removing any vehicle or junk in accordance with this Article. If any person refuses to allow entry onto his/her private property, the Chief of Police may obtain a warrant from the proper official and proceed in accordance therewith.