As used in this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed below, except where the context in which the word or phrase is used clearly indicates a different meaning is intended:
Abandoned motor vehicle
means a vehicle that is:
(1) 
Inoperative and over five years old and is left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours;
(2) 
A motor vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for a period of more than 48 hours; or
(3) 
A motor vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than 48 hours.
Aircraft.
Has the meaning assigned by section 24.001, Texas Transportation Code.
Chief of police
means the chief of police, his designee or any duly commissioned police officer.
Inoperable motor vehicle
means a motor vehicle subject to registration pursuant to the Texas Certificate of Title Act, V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, chapter 501, that does not have lawfully affixed thereto an unexpired license plate or plates; or a motor vehicle that cannot be started, driven, operated, steered, and stopped under its own power and without causing damage to the vehicle because of mechanical failure, breakdown or disrepair or because it has been wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled.
Junked vehicle.
A vehicle that:
(1) 
Is self-propelled; and
(2) 
Is:
(A) 
Wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, or discarded; or
(B) 
Inoperable and has remained inoperable for more than:
(i) 
72 consecutive hours, if the vehicle is on public property; or
(ii) 
30 consecutive days, if the vehicle is on private property.
For purposes of this article, “junked vehicle” includes a motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft. This article applies only to:
(1)
A motor vehicle that displays an expired license plate or does not display a license plate;
(2)
An aircraft that does not have lawfully printed on the aircraft an unexpired federal aircraft identification number registered under Federal Aviation Administration aircraft registration regulations in 14 C.F.R. part 47; or
(3)
A watercraft that:
(A)
Does not have lawfully on board an unexpired certificate of number; and
(B)
Is not a watercraft described by section 31.055, Parks and Wildlife Code.
Motor vehicle.
A vehicle that is subject to registration under chapter 501, Texas Transportation Code.
Watercraft.
A vessel subject to registration under chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife Code.
(Ordinance 9710-299 adopted 10/13/97; Ordinance adopting 2001 Code; 2001 Code, sec. 8.601; Ordinance 2019-565 adopted 5/19/19; Ordinance adopting 2020 Code)