§ 12-79. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases when used in this article have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context indicates a different meaning:

Abandoned vehicle means one that is:

(1)

Left upon a public street or highway in violation of a law or ordinance prohibiting parking.

(2)

Left on property owned or operated by the town longer than 24 hours.

(3)

Left on private property without the consent of the owner, occupant or lessee for longer than two hours.

(4)

Left on any public street or highway longer than seven days.

Building structure or garage means a lawful, nonconforming use or a garage or building structure erected pursuant to the lawful issuance of a building permit and which has been constructed in accordance with all zoning and building code regulations.

Code enforcement officer means an employee of the planning and zoning division of the town designated to enforce the provisions of this article.

Designated employee means the town administrator, code enforcement officer or any official employee appointed by the board of commissioners.

Junked motor vehicle, as authorized and defined in G.S. 160A-303.2, means a vehicle that does not display a current license plate lawfully upon that vehicle and that:

(1)

Is partially dismantled or wrecked;

(2)

Cannot be self-propelled or moved in the manner in which it originally was intended to move; or

(3)

Is more than five years old and appears to be worth less than $500.00.

Motor vehicle or vehicle means all machines designed or intended to travel over land or water by self-propulsion or while attached to any self-propelled vehicle.

Nuisance vehicle means a vehicle on public or private property that is determined and declared to be a health or safety hazard, a public nuisance, and unlawful, including a vehicle found to be:

(1)

A breeding ground or harbor for mosquitoes, other insects, rats or other pests;

(2)

A point of heavy growth of weeds or other noxious vegetation over eight inches in height;

(3)

A point of collection of pools or ponds of water;

(4)

A point of concentration of quantities of gasoline, oil or other flammable or explosive materials as evidenced by odor;

(5)

One which has areas of confinement which cannot be operated from the inside, such as trunks, hoods, etc.;

(6)

So situated or located that there is a danger of it falling or turning over;

(7)

One which is a point of collection of garbage, food waste, animal waste, or any other rotten or putrescible matter of any kind;

(8)

One which has sharp parts which are jagged or contain sharp edges of metal or glass; or

(9)

Any other vehicle specifically declared a health and safety hazard and public nuisance by the board of commissioners.

Tow, in any of its forms, means to remove a vehicle by means including towing and to store the vehicle.

Tower means the person who towed the vehicle.

Towing fee means the fee charged for towing and storing.

(Ord. No. 344, § 5-23, 9-11-1997; Ord. No. 591, 4-8-2010)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.