§ 9.08.010. Declared nuisance.  


Latest version.
  • A.

    The city council finds that junked vehicles and junked vehicle parts that are located in a place where they are visible from a public place or public right-of-way are detrimental to the safety and welfare of the general public, tend to reduce the value of the private property, invite vandalism, create fire hazards, constitute an attractive nuisance creating a hazard to the health and safety of minors, and are detrimental to the economic welfare of the city by producing urban blight adverse to the maintenance and continuing development of the city and are, therefore, declared to be public nuisances. It is unlawful for any person or persons to cause or maintain such public nuisances by wrecking, dismantling, rendering inoperable, abandoning or discarding his or their vehicle, vehicles or vehicle parts on the property of another or to suffer, permit or allow the same to be placed, located, maintained or exist upon his or their own real property.

    B.

    Covering a junked vehicle with a cover that is custom-tailored or custom-fitted to the particular model of the vehicle being covered will abate the nuisance. The vehicle cover shall be made of a canvas of closely woven, coarse cloth of hemp, cotton or linen that is both water and mildew resistant and shall be maintained free of any tears or holes. To abate the nuisance, the vehicle shall be completely covered, with the exception of the vehicle tires, and the cover shall be secured by a tie-down device. Tires shall be mounted on the vehicle and shall be properly inflated. All four tires must be on the ground. It is the vehicle owner's responsibility to ensure that the vehicle remains completely covered. Placing the junked vehicle behind trees or shrubbery does not abate the public nuisance. The department of environmental services and the police department are authorized to abate such nuisances under the terms and conditions hereinafter provided.

(Ord. 16138 § 1, 2005: Ord. 13698 § 1, 1998: Ord. 13152 § 47, 1997: Ord. 13061 § 1, 1997: Ord. 9971 § 1, 1990: Ord. 8652 (part), 1986; prior code § 11-46)