<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 24-96. - Removal of vehicles.</div>
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            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
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            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Removal to a storage garage or area authorized.</span> In addition to any other remedies provided for herein, the county shall have the
               authority to have removed to a storage garage or area any abandoned, junked or hazardous
               motor vehicle found to be in violation of this article. The county shall contract
               with one or more commercial towing services to carry out the provisions of this section.
               No abandoned, junked or hazardous motor vehicle shall be removed from private property
               without the written request of the owner, lessee or occupant unless the director of
               general services has declared it to be a hazardous vehicle, or the board of county
               commissioners, after notice and public hearing enters an order declaring that the
               aesthetic benefits of removing the vehicle outweigh the burdens imposed on the private
               property owner. In making such a determination, the board of commissioners may consider
               the following:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
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            <p class="content2">
               Protection of property values;
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            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
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               Promotion of tourism and other economic development opportunities;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
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               Indirect protection of public health and safety;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (4)
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               Preservation of the character and integrity of the community; and
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (5)
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               Promotion of the comfort, happiness and emotional stability of area residents.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (b)
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            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Notice prior to removal from private property.</span> Prior to removing a hazardous vehicle from private property, without the property
               owner's consent, the director of general services shall give written notice of the
               proposed removal to the registered owner of such vehicle at the last known address
               according to the records on file with the department of motor vehicles. If the vehicle
               in question does not have license plates or other identification such that the director
               of general services can ascertain ownership, the director of general services shall
               cause notice to be published in one issue of a newspaper of general circulation in
               the county. Notice shall be given at least seven days prior to the tow. Such notice
               shall contain the following information:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
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            <p class="content2">
               A description of the vehicle; the location of the vehicle;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
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            <p class="content2">
               The violation alleged;
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            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
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            <p class="content2">
               The procedure the owner can follow to request a pre-tow hearing;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (4)
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            <p class="content2">
               The date the vehicle will be towed; and
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               (5)
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               That the vehicle is subject to a lien if towed.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (c)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Notice prior to removal from public property.</span> Whenever any abandoned or junked vehicle is to be removed from public property, the
               office of the sheriff of the county, or contract security if applicable, shall give
               written notice to the registered owner at the last known address according to the
               records on file with the department of motor vehicles if the vehicle in question has
               license plates or other identification such that the office of the sheriff can ascertain
               ownership. Notice shall be given at least seven days prior to the tow. Such notice
               shall contain the following information:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               A description of the vehicle;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
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            <p class="content2">
               The location of the vehicle;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
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            <p class="content2">
               The violation alleged; the procedure the owner can follow to request a pre-tow hearing;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (4)
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            <p class="content2">
               The date that the vehicle will be towed; and
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (5)
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            <p class="content2">
               That the vehicle is subject to a lien if towed.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="b1">
               Further, the office of the sheriff, or contract security, shall conspicuously post
               a warning notice on the vehicle in question that shall contain the following: the
               date that the vehicle will be towed and a telephone number to call for further information.
               If ownership of the vehicle in question cannot be ascertained it shall be deemed sufficient
               notice if the office of the sheriff or contract security, conspicuously posts a warning
               notice on the vehicle.
               </p>
            <p class="incr0">
               (d)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Notice after removal.</span> Whenever, a motor vehicle is removed pursuant to this article, the county shall give
               post-tow notice as required by G.S. 20-219.11(a) and (b).
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (e)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Indemnity.</span> The director of general services is authorized to require a person, firm or corporation
               requesting the county to remove an abandoned or junked motor vehicle from private
               property to indemnify the county against any loss, expense or liability incurred because
               of the removal, storage or sale thereof.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 8-14-95, Â§ 6; Ord. of 8-22-16(1), Â§ 7))
               </p></div>