In addition to and in accordance with the determination made and the authority granted by the state of California under section 22660 of the Vehicle Code and as subsequently amended, to remove abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles or part thereof as public nuisances, the council makes the following finds and declarations:
The accumulation and storage of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof on private or public property not including highways is found to create a condition tending to reduce the value of private property, to promote blight and deterioration, to invite plundering, to create fire hazards, to constitute an attractive nuisance creating a hazard to the health and safety of minors, to create a harborage for rodents and insects and to be injurious to the health, safety and general welfare. Therefore, the presence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle or parts thereof, on private or public property not including highways, except as expressly permitted by this chapter, is declared to constitute a public nuisance which may be abated as such in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Criminal prosecution pursuant to this section shall not preclude, nor be precluded by, abatement of such vehicles or parts thereof pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior code § 27-170; Ord. 5234 § 1, 1999)
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall be ascribed the following meanings unless it is clear from the context that a different meaning is intended:
"Highway"
means a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. "Highway" includes street.
"Inoperative"
means that a vehicle is inoperative if it is:
1. 
Mechanically incapable of being driven; or
2. 
Prohibited from being operated on a public street or highway pursuant to California Vehicle Code sections 4000, 5202, 24002, or 40001, concerning license plates, registration, equipment, safety and related matters.
"Owner of land"
means the owner of the land on which the vehicle, or parts thereof, is located, as shown on the last equalized assessment roll.
"Owner of vehicle"
means the last registered owner and legal owner of record of a vehicle.
"Public property"
does not include highway.
"Vehicle"
means a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved or drawn upon a highway, except a device moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(Prior code § 27-171; Ord. 5234 § 1, 1999)
A. 
The following shall be exceptions to the provisions of this chapter:
1. 
A vehicle, or parts thereof, which is 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. 
A vehicle, or parts thereof, which is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer, a junk dealer, or when such storage or parking is necessary to the operation of a lawfully conducted business or commercial enterprise.
B. 
Nothing in this section shall authorize the maintenance of a public or private nuisance as defined under provisions of law other than chapter 10 (commencing with section 22650) of Division 11 of the Vehicle Code and this section.
(Prior code § 27-172)
This chapter is not the exclusive regulation of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles within the city. It shall supplement and be in addition to the other regulatory codes, statutes and ordinances heretofore or hereafter enacted by the city, the state, or any other legal entity or agency having jurisdiction.
(Prior code § 27-173)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall be administered and enforced by the director of community development. In the enforcement of this chapter such officer and such officer's deputies must first obtain appropriate legal authorization to enter upon private or public property to examine a vehicle or parts thereof, or obtain information as to the identity of a vehicle and to remove or cause the removal of a vehicle or parts thereof declared to be a nuisance pursuant to this chapter.
(Prior code § 27-174; Ord. 5234 § 1, 1999; Ord. 5803 § 17, 2013)
When the council has contracted with or granted a franchise to any person or persons for removal of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles, upon receipt of appropriate legal authorization, such person or persons shall be authorized to enter upon private property or public property to remove or cause the removal of a vehicle or parts thereof declared to be a nuisance pursuant to this chapter.
(Prior code § 27-175; Ord. 5234 § 1, 1999)
The council shall from time to time determine and fix an amount to be assessed as administrative costs excluding the actual cost of removal of any vehicle or parts thereof under this chapter.
(Prior code § 27-176)
Upon discovering the existence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle, or parts thereof, on private property or public property within the city, the director of community development shall have the authority to cause the abatement and removal thereof in accordance with the procedure prescribed in this chapter.
(Prior code § 27-177; Ord. 5803 § 18, 2013)
A ten-day notice of intention to abate and remove the vehicle, or parts thereof, as a public nuisance shall be mailed by registered mail to the owner of the land and to the owner of the vehicle, unless the vehicle is in such condition that identification numbers are not available to determine ownership. The notice of intention shall be in substantially the following form:
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ABATE AND REMOVE AN ABANDONED, WRECKED, DISMANTLED, OR INOPERATIVE VEHICLE OR PARTS THEREOF AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE
(Name and address of owner of the land)
As owner shown on the last equalized assessment roll of the land located at (address), you are hereby notified that the undersigned pursuant to Title 10, Chapter 10.48, Glendale Municipal Code, has determined that there exists upon said land an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle, or parts thereof, registered to __________, license number __________, which constitutes a public nuisance.
You are hereby notified to abate said nuisance by the removal of said vehicle, or parts thereof within 10 days from the date of mailing of this notice, and upon your failure to do so the City of Glendale will seek judicial authorization through appropriate means to enter onto your property to abate said nuisance and remove said vehicle(s) and will seek recovery of costs thereof, together with administrative costs assessed to you as owner of the land on which said vehicle, or parts thereof, is located.
As owner of the land on which said vehicle, or parts thereof, is located, you are hereby notified that you may, within 10 days after the mailing of this notice of intention, request a public hearing and if such a request is not received by the Director of Community Development within such 10 day period, the City of Glendale shall have the authority to seek judicial authorization to abate and remove said vehicle, vehicles or parts thereof, as a public nuisance and assess the costs as aforesaid without a public hearing. You may submit a sworn written statement within such 10 day period denying responsibility for the presence of said vehicle, vehicles or parts thereof, on said land, with your reasons for denial, and such statement shall be construed as a request for hearing at which your presence is not required. You may appear in person at any hearing requested by you or the owner of the vehicle or, in lieu thereof, may present a sworn written statement as aforesaid in time for consideration at such hearing.
Notice Mailed: __________ (Date)
CITY OF GLENDALE By __________, City Manager.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ABATE AND REMOVE AN ABANDONED, WRECKED, DISMANTLED OR INOPERATIVE VEHICLE OR PARTS THEREOF AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE
(Name and address of last registered and/or legal owner of record of vehicle—Notice should be given to both if different)
As last registered (and/or legal) owner or record of (description of vehicle-make model, license, etc.) you are hereby notified that the undersigned, pursuant to Title 10 Chapter 10.48, of the Glendale Municipal Code, has determined that said vehicle, or part thereof exists as an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle at (describe location on public or private property) and constitutes a public nuisance pursuant to the provisions of said Municipal Code.
You are hereby notified to abate said nuisance by the removal of said vehicle, or parts thereof within 10 days from the date of mailing of this notice.
As registered (and/or legal) owner of record of said vehicle, or parts thereof, you are hereby notified that you may, within 10 days after the mailing of this notice of intention, request a public hearing and if such a request is not received by the Director of Community Development within such 10 day period, the City of Glendale shall seek judicial authorization to abate and remove said vehicle (or said parts of a vehicle) without a hearing.
Notice Mailed: __________ (Date)
CITY OF GLENDALE By __________, City Manager.
(Prior code § 27-178; Ord. 5234 § 1, 1999; Ord. 5803 § 19, 2013)
A. 
Upon request by the owner of the vehicle or owner of the land received by the director of community development within 10 days after the mailing of the notices of intention to abate and remove, a public hearing shall be held by the hearing officer on the question of abatement and removal of the vehicle or parts thereof as an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle, and the assessment of the administrative costs and the cost of removal of the vehicle or parts thereof against the property on which it is located.
B. 
If the owner of the land submits a sworn written statement denying responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on the owner's land within such ten-day period, such statement shall be construed as a request for a hearing which does not require his or her presence. Notice of the hearing shall be mailed by registered mail, at least 10 days before the hearing to the owner of the land and to the owner of the vehicle, unless the vehicle is in such condition that identification numbers are not available to determine ownership. If such a request for hearing is not received within such 10 days after mailing of the notice of intention to abate and remove, the director of community development shall abate and remove the vehicle or parts thereof as a public nuisance without holding a public hearing.
(Prior code § 27-179; Ord. 5803 § 20, 2013)
A. 
All hearings under this chapter shall be held before the hearing officer who shall hear all facts and testimony the hearing officer deems pertinent. Such facts and testimony may include testimony on the condition of the vehicle or parts thereof and the circumstances concerning its location on such private property or public property. The owner of the land may appear in person at the hearing or present a sworn written statement in time for consideration at the hearing, and deny responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on the land, with his or her reasons for such denial.
B. 
The hearing officer may impose such conditions and take such other action as the hearing officer deems appropriate under the circumstances to carry out the purpose of this chapter. The hearing officer may delay the time for removal of the vehicle or parts thereof if, in the hearing officer's opinion, the circumstances justify it. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the hearing officer may find that a vehicle, or parts thereof, has been abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or is inoperative on private or public property and order the same removed from the property as a public nuisance and disposed of as provided in this chapter and determine the administrative costs and cost of removal to be charged against the owner of the land. The order requiring removal shall include a description of the vehicle or parts thereof and the correct identification number and license number of the vehicle, if available at the site.
C. 
If the hearing officer finds that the vehicle was placed on the land without the consent of the owner of the land and that the owner of the land has not subsequently acquiesced in its presence, the costs of administration or removal of the vehicle shall not be assessed against the property upon which the vehicle is located or otherwise attempt to collect such costs from such owner of the land.
D. 
If the owner of the land submits a sworn written statement denying responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on his or her land but does not appear, or if an interested party makes a written presentation to the hearing officer but does not appear, he or she shall be notified in writing of the decision.
(Prior code § 27-180; Ord. 5803 § 21, 2013)
A. 
Any interested party, including any city official, may appeal the decision of the hearing officer by filing a written notice of appeal within the time and in the manner provided in chapter 2.88
B. 
The city clerk shall give written notice of the time and place of the hearing to the appellant and those persons specified in section 10.48.090
(Prior code § 27-181; Ord. 5803 § 22, 2013)
Five days after adoption of the order declaring the vehicle or parts thereof to be a public nuisance, or five days from the date of mailing of notice of the decision if such notice is required by section 10.48.110, or fifteen days after such action of the council authorizing removal following appeal, the vehicle or parts thereof may be disposed of by removal to a scrapyard or automobile dismantler's yard. After a vehicle has been removed it shall not thereafter be reconstructed or made operable, unless it is a vehicle that qualifies for either horseless carriage license plates or historical vehicle license plates pursuant to Vehicle Code section 5004, and as subsequently amended, in which case the vehicle may be reconstructed or made operable.
(Prior code § 27-182)
Within five days after the date of removal of the vehicle or parts thereof, notice shall be given to the Department of Motor Vehicles identifying the vehicle or parts thereof removed. At the same time there shall be transmitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles any evidence of registration available, including registration certificates, certificates of title and license plates.
(Prior code § 27-183)
If the administrative costs and the cost of removal which are charged against the owner of a parcel of land pursuant to section 10.48.110 are not paid within thirty days of the date of the order, or the final disposition of an appeal therefrom, such costs shall be assessed against the parcel of land pursuant to section 38773.5 of the Government Code and shall be transmitted to the tax collector for collection. Such assessment shall have the same priority as other city taxes.
(Prior code § 27-184)