§ 25-597. Vehicles abandoned in garages.

(1)

Any motor vehicle or part thereof left for more than ten (10) days in a garage operated for commercial purposes, after notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner to pick up the vehicle, or for more than ten (10) days after the period when, pursuant to contract, the vehicle was to remain on the premises, shall be deemed an abandoned motor vehicle, and may be reported by the garage keeper to the city. All abandoned motor vehicles left in garages may be taken into custody by the city in accordance with section 25-593 and shall be subject to the notice and sale provisions contained in sections 25-595 and 25-596; provided that, if such vehicle is reclaimed in accordance with section 25-595, the person reclaiming such vehicle shall, in addition to the other charges required to be paid, pay the charges of the garage keeper, if any; and provided further, that if such vehicle is sold pursuant to section 25-596, the garage keeper's charges, if any, shall be paid from, and to the extent of, the excess of the proceeds of sale, after paying the expenses of the auction, the costs of towing, preserving and storing such vehicle which resulted from placing such vehicle in custody, and all notice and publication costs incurred pursuant to section 25-595.

(2)

Except as otherwise provided in this article, nothing herein shall be construed to limit or restrict any rights conferred upon any person under sections 43-32 through 43-36 of the Code of Virginia.

(3)

For the purposes of this section, "garage keeper" means any operator of a parking place, motor vehicle storage facility or establishment for the servicing, repair or maintenance of motor vehicles.

(Code 1958, § 29-743.4)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 46.1-555.7.

(Code 1958, § 29-743.4)

State law reference

Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 46.1-555.7.