Huntington Beach Municipal Code Ch. 2.96 Disposition of Unclaimed Property

All unclaimed property in the possession of the City shall be handled and disposed of in the manner set out in Sections 2.96.020 through 2.96.070.

(1457-1/69, 1561-4/70)

If no owner appears and proves his or her ownership, such property shall be delivered to the person who found or saved the property, as provided in and subject to the limitations of Section 2080.3 of the Civil Code of the State of California.

(1457-1/69, 1561-4/70)

If no person claims the property, as provided in Section 2.96.020, such unclaimed property, except unclaimed bicycles, shall be held by the Police Department for a period of at least four months, and unclaimed bicycles shall be held for a period of at least three months.

(1457-1/69, 1561-4/70)

Thereafter such property shall be transferred to the City Purchasing Department for sale to the public at auction. Upon transfer of such property to the City Purchasing Department, such property shall not be redeemable by the owner or other person entitled to possession. If the City Purchasing Department determines that any such property transferred to it for sale is needed for a public use, such property may be retained by the Department and need not be sold.

(1457-1/69, 1561-4/70)

If the City Purchasing Department determines that any such property is not needed for a public use, thereafter such property will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder, with notice of such sale being given by the Purchasing Department at least five days before the time fixed therefor by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county.

(1457-1/69, 1561-4/70)

In the event the owner of any property shall appear on or before the time the property is transferred to the City Purchasing Department and reclaims the property and reimburses the City for all expenses incurred in the care and preservation of the property, then the property shall be restored to the owner.

(1457-1/69, 1561-4/70)

In the event any property cannot be sold at public auction, it may be given away to any fraternal, benevolent, patriotic, charitable or religious organization not organized for profit or retained by the City; but if any such property is of no value and cannot otherwise be disposed of by gift or sale, or the City does not wish to retain said property, the property may be destroyed as junk, provided that if the unclaimed property consists of money or currency and is unclaimed by the owner or finder at the time set for property to be transferred to the City Purchasing Department, said money or currency shall be deposited in the general fund of the City.

(1457-1/69, 1561-4/70)