[HISTORY: Adopted as indicated in text (Ch. 156 of the 1990 Code of Public Local Laws). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Taxicabs — See Ch. 342.
Vehicles, traffic and transportation — See Ch. 359.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(a); 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
It is unlawful in Cecil County, as provided in this chapter, to cause or permit an unlicensed junk motor vehicle or parts thereof to be left on private or public property, in open view of persons on a nearby highway. Failure to remove such a vehicle or parts thereof within 10 days after a written notice of removal sent to the owner of record by any authorized police officer is a misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction by a fine of $25 for each day after the 10 days during which the motor vehicle is not moved from the property.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(b); 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
In addition to the criminal penalty provided by this chapter, the motor vehicle may be impounded by the County and sold under the provisions of this chapter.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(c); 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
If any motor vehicle or part thereof is in the custody of Cecil County under the workings of this chapter, and if the owner or person entitled to the possession thereof cannot be located or fails to claim the motor vehicle or part thereof for a period of 60 days after it came into the custody of the County, the motor vehicle or part thereof may be disposed of by the County at public sale. Due advertisement of the time, place and terms of the sale, together with a full detailed description of the motor vehicle or part thereof, shall be inserted in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the County at least once each week for two successive weeks prior to the sale. In addition, a notice by registered mail shall be sent at least 10 days prior to the sale to the owner and lien holder, if any, shown on the records of the Motor Vehicle Administrator, or the person entitled to the possession of the motor vehicle or part thereof if his address is known or if it can be ascertained by the exercise of reasonable diligence. If such address cannot be ascertained, this notice is not required.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(d); 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
The certificate of the County that it has sold such a motor vehicle at public auction to a purchaser shall constitute sufficient evidence of title to any motor vehicle so sold in order to enable the purchaser to obtain a certificate of title and registration from the Motor Vehicle Administration.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(e); 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
After payment of the expenses of any sale held pursuant to this chapter and the storage and repair charges incurred by the County on account of the motor vehicle or part thereof, and after payment of all liens filed against the motor vehicle or part thereof, the balance of the monies, if any, received by the County at the sale shall be held by the County for a period of one year from the date of sale. The County shall pay this balance to any person who files a verified claim prior to the expiration of this one-year period, establishing that he is the owner or person entitled to the possession of the motor vehicle or part thereof. If no such claim is filed within the one-year period, the remaining balance for the sale of the motor vehicle or part thereof shall be transferred to the general funds of the County.
[1966, ch. 703, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 13-1(f); 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
This chapter does not apply or refer to vehicles in a regularly operated gasoline service station, garage, or motor vehicle junkyard or "graveyard."