The placement or storage of a junk vehicle or parts thereof (see FMC 19.06.400) on a lot is prohibited unless it is exempt as described in subsection A of this section. In addition to being a violation of this title, the unlawful placement or storage of a junk vehicle shall be considered a public nuisance. A junk vehicle or parts thereof on private property, which is classified as a public nuisance by an enforcing official, is subject to abatement and removal by the city of Fife. The procedure for abating and removing a junk vehicle is as follows:
A. Exemptions. This section shall not apply to:
1. A vehicle or part thereof that 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 part thereof that is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with a business of a licensed dismantler or licensed vehicle dealer and is screened in accordance with RCW
46.80.130, as amended.
B. Notice Requirement. The notice of violation as described in FMC 19.96.030 shall also:
1. Indicate that the subject vehicle(s) has been declared a public nuisance;
2. Be mailed to the last registered owner of record and the property owner of record; and
3. State that a hearing before the hearing examiner may be requested and that, if no hearing is requested within 15 days of notice mailing, the vehicle will be removed.
C. Hearing Notice Requirement. If a request for hearing as described in subsection
B of this section is received within 15 days of notice mailing, a hearing notice giving the time, location and date of the hearing on the question of abatement and removal of the vehicle or part thereof as a public nuisance shall be sent, by certified mail, with a five-day return receipt requested, to the owner of the land as shown on the last equalized assessment roll and to the last registered and legal owner of record unless the vehicle is in such condition that identification numbers are not available to determine ownership.
D. Property Owner Denial. The owner of land on which the vehicle is located may appear in person at the hearing or present written statement in time for consideration at the hearing and deny responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on the land, with the property owner's reasons for denial. If it is determined at the hearing that the vehicle was placed on the land without the consent of the landowner and the landowner has not subsequently acquiesced to the vehicle's presence, then the city shall not assess the costs of administration or removal of the vehicle against the property upon which the vehicle is located or otherwise attempt to collect the cost from the property owner.
E. Vehicle Removal. After the notice of violation has been given and after a hearing, if requested, has been held, the vehicle or part thereof shall be removed at the request of a law enforcement officer with notice to the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Licensing that the vehicle has been wrecked.
F. Costs of Removal. Costs of removal may be assessed against the registered owner of the vehicle if the identity of the owner can be determined, unless the owner in the transfer of ownership of the vehicle has complied with RCW
46.12.101 as amended, or the costs may be assessed against the owner of the property on which the vehicle is stored.
(Ord. 1317 § 3, 1998; Ord. 1593-06 § 79, 2006)