This Article V is enacted under authority of § 6109(a)(22) of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 6109(a)(22), and gives the Township the authority to remove and impound vehicles parked in violation of the parking regulations of this chapter. 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, or to order the removal and impounding, of any vehicle parked illegally; provided that the circumstances of its parking were within the conditions stated in § 231-33. Provided, no such vehicle shall be removed or impounded except in strict adherence to the provisions of this Article V or the provisions of the Vehicle Code.
Any prohibited parking, as provided in Article IV, and the streets cited therein, shall constitute tow-away zones under this Article V. Signs may be, but are not required, posted to place the public on notice that their vehicles may be towed for violation of the Township's parking regulations.
Removal and impounding of vehicles under this Article V shall only be done by "approved storage garages" that shall be designated from time to time by the Township. Every such garage shall submit evidence to the Township that it is bonded or has acquired liability insurance in an amount satisfactory to the Township as sufficient to indemnify owners of impounded vehicles against loss or damage to those vehicles while in the custody of the garagekeeper for the purpose of towing or storage. The approved storage garage shall submit to the Township its schedule of charges for towing and storage of vehicles under this article and, when the schedule is approved by the Township, 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 article by any approved storage garage. The Township 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 article.
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 chapter for which the vehicle was removed or impounded.
In order to reclaim his/her/its vehicle, the owner shall pay towing and storage costs plus a $50 fee.
The Township shall cause a record to be kept of all vehicles impounded under this chapter 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 Article V or 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 Article V, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of $50 together with all costs of disposing of the vehicle under the provisions of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 7301 et seq.
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, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 7311, 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 Vehicle Code (75 Pa C.S.A. § 7301 et seq.).