Chapter 80 – Abandoned Vehicles

CHAPTER 80 ABANDONED VEHICLES 80.01 Definitions 80.06 Towing License 80.02 Authority to Take Possession of Abandoned Vehicles 80.07 Disposal of Abandoned Vehicles 80.03 Notice by Mail 80.08 Disposal of Totally Inoperable Vehicles 80.04 Notification in Newspaper 80.09 Proceeds from Sales 80.05 Fees for Impoundment 80.10 Duties of Demolisher 80.01 DEFINITIONS. For use in this chapter the following terms are defined: (Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.89[1]) 1. “Abandoned vehicle” means any of the following: A. A vehicle that has been left unattended on public property for more than twenty- four (24) hours and lacks current registration plates or two or more wheels or other parts which renders the vehicle totally inoperable. B. A vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for more than 24 hours. C. A vehicle that has been unlawfully parked or placed on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than 24 hours. D. A vehicle that has been legally impounded by order of a police authority and has not been reclaimed for a period of ten (10) days. However, a police authority may declare the vehicle abandoned within the ten-day period by commencing the notification process. E. Any vehicle parked on the highway determined by a police authority to create a hazard to other vehicle traffic. F. A vehicle that has been impounded pursuant to Section 321J.4B of the Code of Iowa by order of the court and whose owner has not paid the impoundment fees after notification by the person or agency responsible for carrying out the impoundment order. 2. “Demolisher” means a person licensed under Chapter 321H of the Code of Iowa whose business it is to convert a vehicle to junk, processed scrap or scrap metal, or otherwise to wreck, or dismantle vehicles. 3. “Garage keeper” means any operator of a parking place or establishment, motor vehicle storage facility, or establishment for the servicing, repair, or maintenance of motor vehicles. 4. “Police authority” means the Iowa state patrol or any law enforcement agency of a county or city. 80.02 AUTHORITY TO TAKE POSSESSION OF ABANDONED VEHICLES. A police authority, upon the authority’s own initiative or upon the request of any other authority having the duties of control of highways or traffic, shall take into custody an abandoned vehicle on public property and may take into custody any abandoned vehicle on private property. The police authority may employ its own personnel, equipment, and facilities or hire a private entity, equipment, and facilities for the purpose of removing, preserving, storing, or disposing of abandoned vehicles. A property owner or other person in control of private property may employ a private entity which is a garage keeper (as defined in Section 80.01) to dispose of an abandoned vehicle, and the private entity may take into custody the abandoned vehicle without a police authority’s initiative. If a police authority employs a private entity to dispose of