§ 9.28.030. Authorization to impound.

The city is authorized to remove and impound vehicles immediately, by means of towing or otherwise, under any of the following circumstances:

(1)

When a vehicle poses an immediate danger to public safety including but not limited to danger arising from mechanical defect(s) or defective equipment, or is obstructing traffic on any public street, right-of-way, alley, access way or parking area and is unattended or, if attended, the owner or person in charge of the vehicle refuses or is unable to remove it or provide for its removal;

(2)

When a vehicle is determined to be an abandoned vehicle as defined in Section 9.28.020 of this chapter and fourteen (14) days have elapsed after the officer has complied with the notice requirements of Section 9.28.031;

(3)

When a vehicle is found in a tow-away zone or abandoned at the scene of an accident;

(4)

When the operator of a vehicle is arrested and placed in custody, or is otherwise incapacitated and is not in condition to drive, and the vehicle is not in a place of safety and there is no other person present or reasonably available to properly act as agent for such operator to drive the vehicle to a place of safety;

(5)

When an officer discovers a vehicle that the officer determines to be stolen;

(6)

When determined by a commanding officer that a vehicle must be removed from a fire zone established in Section 13.15.010 of this code, or as authorized by Section 10.101 of the Uniform Fire Code 1988 Edition or as subsequently amended;

(7)

When an officer discovers a travel trailer or other recreational vehicle parked, located, or used in violation of Section 9.44.012 and the officer has complied with the notice requirements of Section 9.28.045;

(8)

When a vehicle is blocking or otherwise impeding water meters, pipeline valves, or other waterworks appliances, or fixtures, from access by city personnel and the water account serviced by the blocked waterworks fixture is delinquent or past due;

(9)

When a vehicle is blocking or otherwise impeding service access to mailboxes. A vehicle is presumed to be blocking or otherwise impeding service access to any mailbox if the vehicle is parked on the street or right-of-way within fifteen (15) feet of any mailbox between the hours of eight a.m. and six p.m.

(Ord. 1975 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1973 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1941 § 1, 1996: Ord. 1938 § 1, 1996: Ord. 1472 § 2, 1991; Ord. 1341 § 1(B), 1990: Ord. 1213 (part), 1988)