§ 66-77. Inoperable motor vehicles on residential property.

(a)

As used in this section, the term "inoperable motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle which is not in operating condition or which, for a period of 60 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 on which there are displayed neither valid license plates nor a valid inspection decal.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, except within a fully enclosed building or structure or otherwise shielded or screened from view, on any property zoned for residential or commercial or agricultural purposes, any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, as such are defined in Code of Virginia, § 46.2-100, which is inoperable. However, this section shall not apply to a licensed business which on June 26, 1970, is regularly engaged in business as an automobile dealer, salvage dealer or scrap processor.

(c)

The owners of property zoned for residential, commercial or agricultural purposes shall, within ten days from the notification of the town to do so, remove therefrom any such inoperable motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers that are not kept within a fully enclosed building or structure.

(d)

The town, through its own agents or employees, may remove any such inoperable motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers, whenever the owner of the premises, after reasonable notice, has failed to do so.

(e)

If the town, through its own agents or employees, removes any such motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers, after having given such notice, the town may dispose of such motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers after giving ten days' additional notice to the owner of the vehicle.

(f)

The cost of any such removal and disposal shall be chargeable to the owner of the vehicle or premises and may be collected by the town as taxes are collected.

(g)

Every cost authorized by this section with which the owner of the premises has been assessed shall constitute a lien against the property from which the vehicle was removed, the lien to continue until actual payment of such costs has been made to the town.

(Code 1992, § 11-67)

State Law reference— Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-904; ordinances taxing and regulating automobile graveyards and junkyards, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-903; junkyards, Code of Virginia, § 33.1-348; immobilized and unattended vehicles, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1209 et seq.; leaving vehicles on private property, removal, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1215.

(Code 1992, § 11-67)

State law reference

Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-904; ordinances taxing and regulating automobile graveyards and junkyards, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-903; junkyards, Code of Virginia, § 33.1-348; immobilized and unattended vehicles, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1209 et seq.; leaving vehicles on private property, removal, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1215.