Town of Johnston, RI Chapter 325 Vehicles, Abandoned

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Johnston by Ord. Nos. 746 and 560 (Secs. 5-18.1 and 16A-21-4.2 of the 1979 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Junkyards — See Ch. 199.

Motor Vehicle Code — See Ch. 217.

Motor vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 220.

Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 300.

Storage of tires — See Ch. 313.

Towing — See Ch. 316.

§ 325-1 Abandonment of vehicles prohibited; violations and penalties.

Any person, firm, or corporation that shall abandon any junk motor vehicle within the boundaries of the Town of Johnston, either on public or private property, shall be punishable as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, of this Code.

§ 325-2 Criteria for abandoned vehicles; removal and impounding.

A. Abandoning of motor vehicles on public highways is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any motor vehicle to become abandoned on any public highway or public property owned or maintained by the Town. A motor vehicle shall be deemed abandoned if it is missing any major parts, such as engine, doors, windows, hood, flat tires, or for any reason is immovable under its own power and has been at the same location on the public highway or public property for a period of 48 hours even if such motor vehicle be properly registered.

B. Removal and impounding of illegally abandoned motor vehicles and fines:

(1) Any police officer may remove and impound, or cause to be removed or impounded, any motor vehicle violating this section.

(2) Before any such vehicle shall be released, the owner or operator will pay for towing and storage charge. The payment of such towing and storage charge shall not release the operator or owner of the motor vehicle from any penalty imposed for violation of this section.