Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 2 — ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
Ceres Municipal Code Ch. 18 Unclaimed Property
Ceres Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Ceres
Cite as: Ceres Municipal Code Chapter 18 · Text as of 2026-10-04
2.18.010 - Defined.¶
Within the meaning of this chapter, "unclaimed property" means all personal property coming into the possession of the Police Department, which in the opinion of the Police Chief need not be preserved as evidence to be used in connection with the investigation or prosecution of crime, the owner of which property are unknown or cannot be located after appropriate inquiry and to which no valid claim of ownership is made.
(Ord. No. 2019-1053, § 2, 11-12-2019)
2.18.020 - Bicycles.¶
All unclaimed property as defined in Section 2.18.010 except unclaimed bicycles hereof shall be held by the Police Department for a period of at least four months. All unclaimed bicycles shall be held by the Police Department for a period of at least three months. During this period herein provided, upon proof of ownership, the Police Department shall restore the property to its rightful owner or owners.
(Ord. No. 2019-1053, § 2, 11-12-2019)
2.18.030 - Sale at public auction.¶
Whenever any unclaimed property shall remain unclaimed in the possession of the Police Department for a period longer than provided by Section 2.18.020, the Police Chief may sell such property at public auction to the highest bidder, or, if the Police Chief determines that any such property is needed for a public use, such property may be retained and need not be sold. All money received from the sale of unclaimed property shall be paid into the City Treasury at the times and in the manner that fees collected by the Police Chief are required to be paid and shall be credited to the General Fund of the City. In the event such property is offered for sale at public auction, but no purchaser appears and offers to bid on the property, then the Police Chief may destroy or arrange for the destruction of any unclaimed property.
(Ord. No. 2019-1053, § 2, 11-12-2019)
2.18.040 - Notice of auction sale.¶
Notice of the time and place of the sale at public auction of any unclaimed property, containing a general description of the property, shall be given by the Police Chief at least five days before the time fixed for such sale by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation, published in Stanislaus County.
(Ord. No. 2019-1053, § 2, 11-12-2019)
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