§ 30-64. Rules governing abandoned vehicles.

Pursuant to authority granted to the city by state law to remove and dispose of discarded, dismantled, wrecked, scrapped, ruined or junked motor vehicles or parts thereof, the following rules apply to such vehicles:

(1)

Any vehicle described meeting the definition of an abandoned vehicle contained in this article may be removed by the city and stored for a period not to exceed 60 days and, at the end of 60 days if no person has claimed ownership of the vehicle, the city shall have the authority to sell the same at public or private sale to pay for the towing charges, storage charges, and any other expense accrued as a result of having such vehicle impounded;

(2)

Upon any vehicle being taken into custody for reasons authorized in this section, the city shall store the vehicle in the safest, most convenient place that the city may designate until the same is reclaimed or sold. Upon confiscating the vehicle, the city shall make an effort in an attempt to locate the owner and, if the owner is located, he shall be notified by certified mail at his last known address that the city has the vehicle in confiscation and that it will be sold for costs, as is prescribed herein; and

(3)

If sale of the vehicle brings more than the costs for towing, storage and/or other expenses, the remainder of the funds shall be returned to the owner if such owner can be located; otherwise, the same shall become the property of the city.

(Ord. No. 18-2007, § 1, 11-12-07)

State law reference

Removal of junked motor vehicles; adoption of ordinances; authority to contract for removal, O.C.G.A. § 36-60-4; when police officers may remove vehicles, § 40-6-206.