§ 5-8-22. Abandoned, unattended and immobile vehicles to be removed.

Whenever a motor vehicle:

(a)

becomes an abandoned motor vehicle;

(b)

is left unattended on a public street or public property and constitutes a hazard to traffic;

(c)

is left unattended for more than 10 days upon public property without the permission of the city;

(d)

is left unattended for more than 72 consecutive hours on private property without the permission of the property owner (provided, that in the case of private property normally open to the public for parking, signs are posted on the property which provide reasonable notice that vehicles left on the property for more than 72 consecutive hours without permission will be removed at the vehicle owner's expense);

(e)

is left unattended on a public street or public property, or on private property, including a private street and road, but not including property which is owned or occupied as a single family residence, and there are three or more unpaid or otherwise unsettled parking violation notices pending against the vehicle;

(f)

is left unattended in a fire lane or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or an entrance to a fire station; or

(g)

is immobilized while in a travel lane of a public street by weather conditions or other emergency situation; the vehicle may, at the direction of an authorized city official, be removed for safekeeping by city personnel, vehicles and equipment, or by a towing service under contract to the city, to the city impoundment yard or another impoundment facility; provided, that a vehicle may be removed from privately-owned property only pursuant to the written authorization of the property owner or, where applicable, an association of owners formed pursuant to chapter 4.1 of title 55 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. (Ord. No. 3656, 9/18/93, Sec. 2; Ord. No. 4637, 12/12/09, Sec. 2)