§ 11-8. Keeping of inoperative motor vehicles.

(a)

Definitions as used in this section:

(1)

Motor vehicle .....orvehiclemeans any motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer, or any part thereof, as defined in Section 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia (1950, as amended).

(2)

Inoperable vehicle .....means any vehicle

(i)

Which is not in operating condition; or

(ii)

Which, for a period of sixty 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

(iii)

On which there are displayed no valid state license plates; or

(iv)

On which there is displayed no valid state inspection decal.

This definition of "inoperable vehicle" shall not include a registered and licensed antique vehicle, classic vehicle, or prestige vehicle so long as the vehicle is in operating condition.

(3)

Shielded or screened from view .....means not visible by someone standing at ground level from outside of the property on which the subject vehicle is located.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep on any property zoned for residential, commercial or agricultural purposes any vehicle which is inoperable, except within a fully enclosed building or structure or otherwise shielded or screen from view, subject to the following:

(1)

On property less than two acres, one inoperable vehicle not otherwise shielded or screened from view may be parked or stored outside of a fully enclosed building if such vehicle is shielded or screened from view by covers; provided that up to two inoperable vehicles may be parked or stored outside of a fully enclosed building if the owner of such vehicles demonstrates that he is actively restoring or repairing one of the vehicles, the second vehicle is being used for the restoration or repair, and each vehicle parked or stored outside a fully enclosed building is shielded or screened by covers; or

(2)

On property two acres and larger, two inoperable vehicles not otherwise shielded or screened from view, may be parked or stored outside of a fully enclosed building if such vehicle is shielded or screened from view by covers; or

(3)

The inoperable vehicle is kept at a commercial business in compliance with the county's zoning regulations covering such business and/or a conditional use permit has been issued for the operation of such business; or

(4)

An inoperable vehicle being repaired at an automobile repair business may be kept at such property for no more than sixty continuous days; or

(c)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to any entity which was licensed and regularly engaged in business as an automobile dealer, salvage dealer or scrap processor, as of June 26, 1970.

(d)

Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Each day's continuation of a violation of this section shall be deemed a separate offense.

(e)

Any person who is a first-time violator of this section may be found guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor if the property is in compliance before the time of trial.

(f)

The zoning administrator and code enforcement officer are hereby authorized to take any action necessary to ensure compliance with this section. (9-21-17, 9-19-19.)

(STATE LAW REFERENCE—For state law as to authority to restrict keeping of inoperable motor vehicles and removal of such vehicles, see Code of Virginia, Sec. 15.2-904.)