[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Northumberland County 1-1-1989. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Board of Supervisors of Northumberland County, pursuant to § 15.2-904
of the Code of Virginia, as amended, does hereby adopt the following chapter.
[Amended 8-13-1998]
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep, except
within a fully enclosed building or structure or otherwise shielded or screened
from view, on any property zoned for residential or commercial or agricultural
purposes, any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, as such are defined in
§ 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia 1950, as amended, which is inoperative.
As used in this chapter, an "inoperative motor vehicle" shall mean any motor
vehicle which is not in operating condition; or which for a period of 60 days
or longer has been partially or totally disassembled by the removal of tires
and wheels, the engine or other essential parts required for operation of
the vehicle or on which there are displayed neither valid license plates nor
a valid inspection decal, unless said vehicle is exempt from those requirements
under § 46.2-662 of the Code of Virginia 1950, as amended. Specifically
exempt from this chapter is the keeping of a maximum of two vehicles commonly
described as classic, antique or for the purposes of racing, so long as said
vehicles are shrouded with a quality vehicle cover specifically designed for
that purpose.
The Board of Supervisors of Northumberland County, through its own agents
or employees, including the Northumberland County Sheriff's Department,
may remove any such inoperative motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers whenever
the owner of the premises, after reasonable notice, has failed to do so. In
the event that the Board of Supervisors, through its own agents or employees,
removes any such motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers after giving additional
notice to the owner of the vehicle, the costs of any such removal and disposal
shall be chargeable to the owner of the vehicle or premises and may be collected
by the County as taxes and levies are collected. Every cost authorized by
this chapter which the owner of the premises has been assessed shall constitute
a lien against the property from which the vehicle was removed, the lien to
continue until actual payment of such costs has been to the County.
Violation of this chapter shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor;
provided, however, that each day in which the violation continues shall constitute
a separate offense.
