[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
of and enforcement of this article:
Any vehicle which is left at any place for such time and
under such circumstances as to cause such vehicle reasonably to appear
as abandoned.
Any motor vehicle from which the engine or other parts have
been altered, damaged, or otherwise so treated (including flat tires)
so that the vehicle is incapable of being driven under its own motor
power or is in such a condition as to render it unsafe. "Inoperable
vehicle" would also include any vehicle which is not licensed or does
not have proper registration or license plates allowing it to be driven
on public streets.
An inoperable motor vehicle does not include a motor vehicle
which has been rendered incapable of being driven under its own power
in order to perform ordinary service and repair operations, said service
or repair operations not to exceed a period of more than seven days.
"Inoperable vehicle" also shall not include motor vehicles that are
kept within a closed building when not in use, or historic vehicles
over 25 years of age which are kept in show condition.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
Any real property within the Village which is not a street
or highway. "Street or highway" means the width between the boundary
lines of every way publicly maintained when a part thereof is opened
for the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic.
A machine propelled by a power other than human power designed
to travel along the ground by use of wheels, treads, runners, or slides
in transporting persons or property or pull machinery and includes,
without limitation, automobiles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, tractors,
buggies and wagons.
No person shall abandon any vehicle within the Village limits
and no person shall leave any vehicle in any place within the Village
limits for such time and under such circumstances as to cause such
vehicle reasonably to appear to have been abandoned.
Inoperable motor vehicles, as defined in this article, whether
on public or private property, are declared to be a public nuisance.
All persons are required to dispose of any inoperable motor vehicle under their control upon written notice received from the corporate authorities or from the Chief of Police or any member of his department designated by him commanding such disposition of said inoperable vehicle. A notice shall be provided as described under Chapter 200, Nuisances, of the Village Code, allowing the person in control of said inoperable vehicle 10 days from the date of mailing or service or posting to dispose of said vehicle.
The Chief of Police or any member of his department designated
by him is authorized to remove or have removed any vehicle left at
any property, public or private, within the Village which reasonably
appears to be in violation of this article or which reasonably appears
to be lost, stolen or unclaimed, or which is an abandoned or inoperable
vehicle as defined in this article. The Chief of Police or anyone
in his department, before removal of the vehicle, shall have a written
notice to remove served upon the owner of said vehicle, if known,
allowing said owner 10 days to remove said vehicle before exercising
his authority under this section. Any vehicle impounded under this
article shall be impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of in
accordance with the provisions of the state statutes.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this
article shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500 for each
such offense. Each day that said condition is allowed to exist shall
be considered a separate offense.
