The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
PARKING LOT
A parking lot open to the public if used for parking with or without a charge.
[Amended 2-21-2003 by Ord. No. 14062]
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, limited partnership, association or corporation.
PRIVATE PROPERTY
A lot or piece of property in private ownership.
[Amended 2-21-2003 by Ord. No. 14062]
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Any real property owned or controlled by the City of Allentown or the Allentown Parking Authority.
[Amended 5-25-1965 by Ord. No. 10697; 1-7-1999 by Ord. No. 13727]
STREET or HIGHWAY
The entire width between the boundary lines of any public right of way constructed and maintained for the use of the public and vehicular traffic.
VEHICLE
A machine ordinarily propelled by power and designed to travel by the use of wheels, treads, runners or slides and to transport persons or property and shall include, without limitation, automobiles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles and tractors.
[Amended 5-25-1965 by Ord. No. 10697; 2-21-2003 by Ord. No. 14062]
No person shall abandon a vehicle within the City on either public or private property. For purposes of this article, an abandoned vehicle shall be:
A. 
The vehicle is physically inoperable and is left unattended on a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours; or
B. 
The vehicle has remained illegally on a highway or other public property for a period of more than 48 hours; or
C. 
The vehicle is left unattended on or along a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours and does not bear all of the following, or:
(1) 
A valid registration plate;
(2) 
A certificate of inspection;
(3) 
An ascertainable vehicle identification number; or
D. 
The vehicle has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than 48 hours; or, a vehicle with a deflated tire or tires; or one without a tire or tires, or a vehicle without current license tags; or, a partially disabled wrecked or junked vehicle when allowed to remain in such condition for a period of 48 hours.
[Amended 5-25-1965 by Ord. No. 10697; 1-7-1999 by Ord. No. 13727; 2-21-2003 by Ord. No. 14062]
Any such abandoned vehicle may be removed by the Bureau of Police, or a designated Allentown Parking Authority personnel, after five days' written notice to the registered owner thereof to remove such vehicle. If the vehicle constituted a safety hazard, the Bureau of Police or the Allentown Parking Authority may remove it immediately and, within 12 hours, send a written notice to the registered owner stating the cause of removal and the procedure to follow in reclaiming the vehicle.
[Amended 2-21-2003 by Ord. No. 14062]
Any such abandoned vehicle may be removed by the Bureau of Police or the Allentown Parking Authority. In order for a vehicle to be towed from a parking lot, the lot must be posted to notify the public of any parking restrictions and the consequences there.
[Amended 5-25-1965 by Ord. No. 10697]
The provisions of this article shall not apply to such vehicles in an enclosed building, a vehicle on the premises of a business enterprise when necessary to the operation of such business or to a vehicle in an appropriate storage place or depository.
[Amended 5-25-1965 by Ord. No. 10697; 2-21-2003 by Ord. No. 14062]
No person owning property within the City shall allow or permit another person to abandon a vehicle on his property. In addition, the owner of a property on which a vehicle is parked or left unattended in violation of a City ordinance may have the vehicle removed. The owner must sign the Pennsylvania State Form MV-952. The Bureau of Police or the Allentown Parking Authority will be responsible for collecting a fee from the property owner prior to the tow. The fee will be per vehicle and will be equal to that charged by the towing company under contract with the Authority or the City. In the event that the owner of the vehicle claims the vehicle and pays all costs associated with the tow, the Bureau of Police and/or the Allentown Parking Authority will reimburse said owner.