eLaws | eCases | Code of Virginia | Virginia Administrative Code | Virginia Courts | Counties & Cities of Virginia | Code of Federal Regulations | United States Code |
 Norfolk
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 25. MOTOR VEHICLE CODE
 Article XI. ABANDONED VEHICLES

  § 25-593. Removal and disposition of unattended, or immobile vehicles.  

Latest version.

  • (1)

    The Norfolk Police Department may remove for safekeeping motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or parts thereof to a storage area if:

    (a)

    They are left unattended on a public highway or other public property and constitutes a traffic hazard;

    (b)

    They are illegally parked;

    (c)

    They are left unattended for more than ten (10) days either on public property or on private property without the permission of the property owner, lessee, or occupant;

    (d)

    They are immobilized on a public roadway by weather conditions or other emergency situation.

    (2)

    Removal shall be carried out by or under the direction of a police officer. Removal of motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, and parts thereof from private property is not authorized without the written request of the owner, lessee, or occupant of the premises and that said vehicle has remained upon the property for a period of seventy-two (72) hours without the consent of the owner, lessee or occupant of the premises. The person at whose request the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is removed from private property shall indemnify the city against any loss or expense incurred by reason of removal, storage, or sale thereof. It shall be presumed that such motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part thereof is abandoned if it (i) lacks either a current license plate; or a current county, city or town license plate or sticker; or a valid state safety inspection certificate or sticker; and (ii) it has been in a specific location for four (4) days without being moved. Before obtaining possession of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part thereof, the owner shall pay to the parties entitled thereto all costs incidental to its removal and storage and locating the owner. If the owner fails or refuses to pay the cost or if his identity or whereabouts is unknown and unascertainable after a diligent search has been made, and after notice to him at his last known address and to the holder of any lien of record with the Office of the Department of Motor Vehicles against the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, the vehicle shall be treated as an abandoned vehicle under the provisions of article XI of this chapter.

    (3)

    In removing a vehicle under this section, the city may employ its own personnel and equipment or hire persons and equipment for the purpose of removing such vehicle.

    (Code 1958, §§ 29-738, 29-743.1; Ord. No. 34,028, § 2, 6-10-86; Ord. No. 34,601, § 1, 7-14-87; Ord. No. 40,024, § 1, 6-27-00)

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, §§ 46.1-3, 46.1-555.3.

(Code 1958, §§ 29-738, 29-743.1; Ord. No. 34,028, § 2, 6-10-86; Ord. No. 34,601, § 1, 7-14-87; Ord. No. 40,024, § 1, 6-27-00)

State law reference

Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, §§ 46.1-3, 46.1-555.3.