If the town marshal or designated law enforcement authority or police department take into custody an abandoned motor vehicle, it shall notify not later than the tenth (10th) day after taking the motor vehicle into custody, by certified mail, the last known registered owner of the motor vehicle and all lienholders of record pursuant to the Certificate of Title Act or chapter
31 of the Parks and Wildlife Code that the vehicle has been taken into custody. The notice shall describe the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number of the abandoned motor vehicle, set forth the location of the facility where the motor vehicle is being held, and inform the owner and any lienholders of their right to reclaim the motor vehicle not later than the twentieth (20th) day after the date of the notice upon payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle into custody. The notice shall also state that the failure of the owner or the lienholders to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided constitutes a waiver by the owner and lienholders of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle and their consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction. If the identity of the last known registered owner cannot be determined, if the registration contains no address for the owner, or if it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identity and addresses of all lienholders, notice by one publication in one newspaper of general circulation in the area where the motor vehicle was abandoned is sufficient notice under this article. The notice by publication may contain multiple listings of abandoned vehicles, shall be published within the time requirements prescribed for notice by certified mail, and shall have the same contents required for a notice by certified mail. The agent of the town that takes custody of an abandoned motor vehicle is entitled to reasonable storage fees for a period of not more than ten (10) days beginning on the day the agent takes custody and continuing through the date the town mails notice as provided by this article and for the period beginning on the day after the mailing of the notice and continuing through the day any accrued charges are paid and the vehicle is removed.
(2001 Code, sec. 6.203)