§ 70-641. Abandonment prohibited; removal; presumption of abandonment.

(a)

No person shall abandon a motor vehicle or other personal property upon the streets or highways of this city.

(b)

No person shall place or abandon a vehicle or other personal property upon any public or private property without the express or implied consent of the owner or person in lawful possession or control of such property.

(c)

Any police officer or other authorized official who has reasonable grounds to believe that a vehicle or other personal property has been abandoned may remove the vehicle or other personal property, or cause it to be removed, at the expense of the owner, to the nearest garage or any other place designated by the city, and shall immediately send a written report of such removal to the police department, which report shall include a description of the vehicle or other personal property, the date, time and place of removal, the grounds for removal, and the name of the garage or place where the vehicle is located. Upon receipt of a report as provided in this subsection, the police department shall notify the registered owner of the vehicle, or any lienholder, giving the grounds for removal and the name of the garage or place where the vehicle is located. If the vehicle is not registered in this state, the police department shall make a reasonable effort to notify the registered owner or any lienholder of the removal and the location of the vehicle. The police department shall forward a copy of the notice to the owner or person in charge of the garage or place where the vehicle is located. The police department shall make all reports and inquiries as required by RSMo §§ 304.155 through 304.158.

(d)

For purposes of this section, a vehicle or other personal property shall be presumed to be abandoned if it is left unattended on a street or highway for a period in excess of 48 hours, if it is left unattended on an interstate highway or freeway for a period in excess of ten hours, or is left on any public or private property without express or implied consent of the owner or person in lawful possession or control of such property; however, within the meaning of this section and that of section 70-642, a vehicle parked in a commercial parking station, as defined in section 52-4, without timely payment of the parking fee posted thereon pursuant to the provisions of section 52-72, shall be deemed prima facie to be parked thereon without the express or implied consent of the owner, lessee or person in lawful possession, charge or control of such commercial parking station.

(e)

Any person violating any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25.00.

(Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 34.340; Ord. No. 41525, 10-20-72; Ord. No. 49356, 7-13-78; Ord. No. 56381, 8-16-84; Ord. No. 950225, § 1, 3-3-95; Ord. No. 961553, § A, 1-9-97; Ord. No. 991357, § 1, 11-9-99; Ord. No. 160589 , § 2, 8-18-16)