This Part is enacted under authority of Section 6109(a-22) of
the Vehicle Code, and gives authority to the Township to remove and impound
those vehicles which are parked in a tow away zone and in violation
of parking regulations of this Part. Vehicles which have been abandoned
(as defined by the Vehicle Code) or which are parked in such a manner
as to interfere with traffic or pose a hazard to others, may be towed
under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.
The Township shall have authority to remove and impound, oqr to order the removal and impounding, of any vehicle parked overtime or otherwise illegally, provided that the circumstances of its parking were within the conditions stated in §
15-501 of this Part. Provided, no such vehicle shall be removed or impounded except in strict adherence to the provisions of this Part, or the provisions of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.
The following designated streets and/or parking lots are hereby
established as tow-away zones. Signs shall be posted to place the
public on notice that their vehicles may be towed for violation of
the Township parking regulations:
Street
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Side
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Between
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Parking Lot
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(Reserved)
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Removal and impounding of vehicles under this Part shall be
done only by "approved storage garages" that shall be designated from
time to time by Township Supervisors. Every such garage shall submit
evidence to Township Supervisors that it is bonded or has acquired
liability insurance in an amount satisfactory to Township Supervisors
as sufficient to indemnify owners of impounded vehicles against loss
or damage to those vehicles while in the custody of the garage keeper
for the purpose of towing or storage. The approved storage garage
shall submit to Township Supervisors its schedule of charges for towing
and storage of vehicles under this Part, and, when the schedule is
approved by Township Supervisors, those charges shall be adhered to
by the approved storage garage; no different schedule of charges shall
be demanded of or collected from any person whose vehicle is removed
or impounded under this Part by any approved storage garage. Township
Supervisors shall delete from its list of approved storage garages
any garage that makes any unapproved charge in connection with any
vehicle removed or impounded under this Part.
The payment of towing and storage charges shall not relieve
the owner or driver of any vehicle from liability for any fine or
penalty for the violation of the provision of this Part for which
the vehicle was removed or impounded.
In order to reclaim his vehicle, the owner shall pay towing
and storage costs, plus a $25 fee, of which $10 shall be transferred
to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation by the garage to
which the vehicle was taken.
The Township shall cause a record to be kept of all vehicles
impounded under this Part and shall be able at all reasonable times
to furnish the owners or the agents of the owners of those vehicles
with information as to the place of storage of the vehicle.
No vehicle shall be removed under the authority of this Part
of the Vehicle Code if, at the time of the intended removal, the owner
or the person for the time being in charge of the vehicle is present
and expresses a willingness and intention to remove the vehicle immediately.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this Part shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of $50 together
with all costs of disposing of the vehicle under provisions of the
Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 7301 et seq. (1977), as hereafter
amended, supplemented, modified or reenacted by the General Assembly
of Pennsylvania.
If, after a period of 15 days, the vehicle in storage remains
unclaimed, a report shall be filed with PennDOT in accordance with § 7311
of the Vehicle Code, by the person having legal custody of the vehicle.
If the vehicle has not been claimed after 30 days, the vehicle may
be transferred to a licensed salvor, who will then be responsible
for filing the proper reports and disposing of the vehicle in accordance
with the provisions of Chapter 73 of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle
Code (75 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq., as amended).