§ 11-34. Authority to remove and store unattended vehicles—Generally.

(a)

Whenever any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer is found on the public highways or public grounds unattended by the owner or operator and the vehicle constitutes a hazard to traffic or is parked in such a manner as to be in violation of law or whenever any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer is left unattended for more than ten days upon any public property or privately owned property other than the property of the owner of such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, within the county or is abandoned upon such public property or privately owned property, without the permission of the owner, lessee or occupant thereof, such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer may be removed for safekeeping by or under the direction of a member of the sheriff's department to a storage garage or area.

(b)

No vehicle shall be removed under this section from privately owned property without the written request of the owner, lessee or occupant of said property. The person at whose request such vehicle is removed from privately owned property shall indemnify the county against any loss or expense by reason of removal, storage or sale thereof.

(c)

For purposes of this section, it shall be presumed that a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer or part thereof is abandoned if:

(1)

It lacks either (i) a current license plate or (ii) a valid state inspection certificate or sticker; and

(2)

It has been in a specific location for ten days without being moved. (9-21-17.)