§ 32-32. Vehicle impoundment.

(a)

Whenever a vehicle is placed in a manner or location that constitutes an obstruction to traffic or a hazard to public safety, a police officer shall order the owner or operator of the vehicle to remove it. If the vehicle is unattended, the officer may cause the vehicle to be towed and stored at the owner's expense. The owner shall be liable for the costs of towing and storing, notwithstanding that the vehicle was parked by another, or that the vehicle was initially parked in a safe manner but subsequently became an obstruction or hazard.

(b)

The disposition of a vehicle towed and stored under authority of this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of article VII of this chapter, relating to impoundment and disposition of vehicles abandoned on the city streets.

(c)

The impoundment of a vehicle will not preclude the issuance of a citation for violation of a provision of this title.

(d)

Stolen vehicles may be towed from public or private property and stored at the expense of the vehicle owner.

(e)

Whenever a police officer observes a vehicle parked in violation of a provision of this title, if the vehicle has four or more unpaid parking violations outstanding against it, the officer may, in addition to issuing a citation, cause the vehicle to be impounded. A vehicle so impounded shall not be released until all outstanding fines and charges have been paid. Vehicles impounded under authority of this subsection shall be disposed of in the same manner as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(Prior Code, § 52.910; Code 2006, § 10.8.8)

State law reference

Towing and storage of unlawfully parked vehicles in parking facilities, requirements, ORS 98.812; impoundment of vehicles, ORS 809.010 et seq.