§ 13-277. Definitions.

For purpose of this article, certain words and terms are defined as herein indicated:

Abandoned vehicle is defined as authorized and defined in G.S. 160A-303 and is a vehicle that:

(1)

Is left upon a public street or highway in violation of a law or ordinance prohibiting parking;

(2)

Is left on a public street or highway for longer than seven (7) days;

(3)

Is left on property owned or operated by the city for longer than twenty-four (24) hours; or

(4)

Is left on private property without the consent of the owner, occupant, or lessee thereof for longer than two (2) hours.

Authorizing officials means the police department or the director of public services, respectively, designated to authorize the removal of vehicles under the provisions of this article.

Junked motor vehicle is defined as authorized and defined in G.S. 160A-303.2 and means a vehicle that does not display a current license plate lawfully upon that vehicle and that:

(1)

Is partially dismantled or wrecked; or

(2)

Cannot be self-propelled or moved in the manner in which it was originally intended to move; or

(3)

Is more than five (5) years old and appears to be worth less than one hundred dollars ($100.00).

Motor vehicle or vehicle means all machines designed or intended to travel over land by self-propulsion or while attached to any self-propelled vehicle.

Nuisance vehicle means a vehicle on public or private property that is determined and declared to be a health or safety hazard, a public nuisance, and unlawful, including a vehicle found to be:

(1)

A breeding ground or harbor for mosquitoes, other insects, rats or other pests;

(2)

A point of heavy growth of weeds or other noxious vegetation over eight (8) inches in height;

(3)

A point of collection of pools or ponds of water;

(4)

A point of concentration of quantities of gasoline, oil, or other flammable or explosive materials as evidenced by odor;

(5)

One which has areas of confinement which cannot be operated from the inside, such as trunks, hoods, etc.;

(6)

So situated or located that there is a danger of it falling or turning over;

(7)

One which is a point of collection of garbage, food waste, animal waste, or any other rotten or putrescible matter of any kind;

(8)

One which has sharp parts thereof which are jagged or contain sharp edges of metal or glass; or

(9)

Any vehicle specifically declared contrary to public health, safety and welfare by the code services manager.

(Ord. No. 1990-42, § 1, 8-21-90; Ord. No. 2010-05, § 4, 2-16-10)