Junked vehicles which are located in any place in the city where they are visible from a public place or public right-of-way are detrimental to the safety and welfare of the public, tending to reduce the value of private property, to invite vandalism, to create fire hazards, to constitute an attractive nuisance creating a hazard to the health and safety of minors, and are detrimental to the economic welfare of the city, by producing blight which is adverse to the maintenance and continuing development of the city, and such vehicles are, therefore, declared to be a public nuisance.
(Code 1973, § 18-34; Code 1997, § 94.41; Ordinance 71-29, adopted 9/15/1971)
(a) 
The provisions of this division do not apply to a vehicle or vehicle part:
(1) 
That is completely enclosed in a building in a lawful manner and is not visible from the street or other public or private property; or
(2) 
That is 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 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.
(b) 
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Antique vehicle
means a passenger car or truck that is at least 25 years old.
Motor vehicle collector
means 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
means 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.
(Code 1973, § 18-40; Code 1997, § 94.47; Ordinance 71-29, adopted 9/15/1971; Ordinance 90-59, adopted 5/20/1990)
A junked vehicle, including a part of a junked vehicle, may be removed to a scrapyard, a motor vehicle demolisher, or a suitable site operated by the city. The city may operate a disposal site if the city commission determines that commercial disposition of junked vehicles is not available or is inadequate. The city may:
(1) 
Finally dispose of a junked vehicle or vehicle part; or
(2) 
Transfer it to another disposal site if the disposal is scrap or salvage only.
(Code 1973, § 18-41; Code 1997, § 94.48; Ordinance 71-29, adopted 9/15/1971)
Junked vehicles, or parts thereof, may be disposed of by the city by the removal thereof to a scrap yard, demolisher, or any suitable site operated by the city for processing scrap or salvage.
(Code 1973, § 18-35; Code 1997, § 94.42; Ordinance 71-29, adopted 9/15/1971)
When the police department determines the existence of a junked vehicle within the city, the city shall notify the last known registered owner of such junked vehicle and all lienholders of record, pursuant to the Texas Certificate of Title Act, with such notice to be by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and notifying such registered owner that such junked vehicle must be removed from the city or to a demolisher or lawful junkyard in the city within ten days from the date of such notice, failing which, the city will, by its officials, so remove or dispose of such junked vehicle. Such notice shall further provide that such alleged junked vehicle does, in fact, constitute a junked vehicle under the provisions of this division, and shall thereby be subjected to removal or abatement as provided hereunder. A hearing must be requested within ten days after the service of such written notice. The zoning board of adjustments and appeals, upon receipt of request for such public hearing, shall forthwith notify such applicant of the date, time, and place of such public hearing, which shall be within ten days (exclusive of holidays, Saturdays and Sundays) of the date of delivery of such notice of the holding of such hearing. Upon the completion of such hearing, the zoning board of adjustments and appeals shall determine whether or not such alleged junked vehicle is, in fact, a junked vehicle under the terms of this division and subject to removal and abatement under the terms of this division.
(Code 1973, § 18-36; Code 1997, § 94.43; Ordinance 71-29, adopted 9/15/1971; Ordinance 83-49, adopted 6/15/1983; Ordinance 87-59, adopted 8/5/1987)
In the event the zoning board of adjustments and appeals determines at the hearing provided for in section 32-118 that such alleged junked vehicle is, in fact, a junked vehicle and subject to removal and abatement under the terms hereof, he shall issue a written order requiring the immediate removal and abatement of such junked vehicle, which order shall include a description of such vehicle and the correct identification number and license number of such vehicle, if available, at the site of such vehicle, with such order being delivered to the registered owner thereof, if known and located. In the event such junked vehicle is not removed and abated within five days from the date of such order of the zoning board of adjustments and appeals, it shall be disposed of by city officials, as provided for section 32-117.
(Code 1973, § 18-37; Code 1997, § 94.44; Ordinance 71-29, adopted 9/15/1971; Ordinance 83-49, adopted 6/15/1983; Ordinance 87-59, adopted 8/5/1987)
Upon the removal and abatement of any junked vehicle under the provisions of this division by the officials of the city, the city shall forward notice, within five days after such removal, to the Texas Highway Department, Austin, Texas, setting forth the available identification of such junked vehicle and advising of its removal and abatement.
(Code 1973, § 18-39; Code 1997, § 94.46; Ordinance 71-29, adopted 9/15/1971)