As used in this article:
Antique Vehicle.
A passenger car or truck that is at least thirty-five years old.
Junked Vehicle.
Any vehicle that is self-propelled and:
(1) 
Does not have lawfully attached to it:
(A) 
An unexpired license plate; or
(B) 
A valid motor vehicle inspection certificate;
(2) 
Is wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled or discarded; or
(3) 
Is inoperable and has remained inoperable for more than:
(A) 
Seventy-two hours if the vehicle is on public property; or
(B) 
Thirty consecutive days if the vehicle is on private property.
Motor Vehicle Collector.
A person who:
(1) 
Owns one or more antique or special interest vehicles; and
(2) 
Acquires, collects or disposes of an antique or special interest vehicle or part of an antique or special interest vehicle for personal use to restore and preserve an antique or special interest vehicle for historic interest.
Special Interest Vehicle.
A motor vehicle of any age that has not been changed from original manufacturer’s specifications and, because of its historic interest, is being preserved by a hobbyist.
(Ordinance 213 adopted 11/20/07)
A junked vehicle, including a part of a junked vehicle, that is visible from a public place or public right-of-way:
(1) 
Is detrimental to the safety and welfare of the general public;
(2) 
Tends to reduce the value of private property;
(3) 
Invites vandalism;
(4) 
Creates fire hazards;
(5) 
Constitutes an attractive nuisance creating a hazard to the health and safety of minors;
(6) 
Produces urban blight adverse to the maintenance and continuing development of municipalities; and
(7) 
Is a public nuisance.
(Ordinance 213 adopted 11/20/07)
(a) 
Prior to any official action being taken to abate and remove a junked vehicle constituting a public nuisance, from private property, public property or public right-of-way, not less than fifteen days notice shall be given, except as hereinafter provided, to the following parties:
(1) 
The last known registered owner of the junked vehicle as shown on the certificate of title;
(2) 
Any lien holder of record; and
(3) 
The owner or occupant of the property upon which the junked vehicle is located or the owner or occupant of the premises adjacent to the public right-of-way on which the junked vehicle is located.
(b) 
If the junked vehicle is on public property, the notice shall be mailed, by certified mail, with a five-day return requested, and a copy of such notice shall also be affixed to the front windshield of the vehicle, and shall state the following:
(1) 
The nature of the public nuisance; and
(2) 
That it must be removed and abated not later that the fifteenth day after the date on which the notice was mailed.
(c) 
If the junked vehicle is on private property, the notice shall be mailed, by certified mail with a five-day return requested, and a copy of such notice shall also be affixed to the front windshield of the vehicle, and shall state the following:
(1) 
The nature of the public nuisance; and
(2) 
That it must be removed and abated not later than the forty-fifth day after the date on which the notice was mailed.
(Ordinance 213 adopted 11/20/07)
In the event the city council orders abatement of the nuisance, the city or any duly authorized person may abate such public nuisance by removal and disposal of the junked vehicle.
(Ordinance 213 adopted 11/20/07)
No later than the fifth day after the date of removal of a junked vehicle pursuant to this article, notice must be given to the state department of transportation. Such notice must identify the vehicle.
(Ordinance 213 adopted 11/20/07)
Any junked vehicles taken into custody by the city or any duly authorized person pursuant to a provision of this article shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable provisions of Chapter 683, subchapter E of the Texas Transportation Code.
(Ordinance 213 adopted 11/20/07)
The provisions of this article shall not apply to a vehicle or vehicle part that is:
(1) 
Completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not visible from the street or other public or private property; or
(2) 
Stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed vehicle dealer or junkyard, or that is an antique or special interest vehicle stored by a motor vehicle collector on the collector’s property, if the vehicle or vehicle part and the outdoor storage area, if any, are:
(A) 
Maintained in an orderly manner;
(B) 
Not a health hazard; and
(C) 
Screened from ordinary public view by appropriate means, including a fence, rapidly growing trees, or shrubbery.
(Ordinance 213 adopted 11/20/07)
A person commits an offense if the person maintains a public nuisance described by Section 8.502. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine in accordance with the general penalty provision found in Section 1.109 of this code. Each day an offense occurs shall be a separate offense.
(Ordinance 213 adopted 11/20/07)