Los Altos Municipal Code Ch. 2.24 Disposal of Unclaimed Property

The chief of police shall make provisions for the receiving and safekeeping of found property and found money delivered to him or coming into his possession. A receipt shall be issued to the person delivering such property or such money.

(Prior code § 2-3.01)

Such property shall be stored in a safe place and such money deposited with the finance director for a period of at least three months unless sooner claimed by the true owner, and shall then be deemed to be unclaimed property or unclaimed money, subject to disposal as provided in this chapter.

(Prior code § 2-3.02)

(Ord. No. 2026-545, § 1, 6-9-2026)

During such time as any such property or money is so held, it may be delivered or paid to the true owner. Such property shall be delivered to the true owner upon proof of ownership satisfactory to the chief of police after ten (10) days' notice by mail to any others who have asserted a claim of ownership at any address given to such persons. Such money shall be paid to the true owner upon written order to the finance director from the chief of police. The chief of police shall make such order upon the same proof of

ownership and with the same notice as prescribed in the case of property. If ownership cannot be determined to the satisfaction of the chief of police, he may refuse to deliver such property or order the payment of such money to anyone until ordered to do so by a court.

(Prior code § 2-3.03)

If the true owner does not appear during the time such property or money is so held and claim the property or money, it may be delivered back to the finder, other than a city employee who found the same while performing his regular duty, if such finder has served written notice upon the city that he wishes to assert a claim to the property or money as a finder, and if he has complied with the requirements of the Civil Code of the state governing the duties and obligations of a finder.

(Prior code § 2-3.04)

All money so received by the chief of police and not delivered to the true owner or the finder during the six month period shall be deposited in the general fund.

(Prior code § 2-3.05)

Upon at the expiration of the initial six month period, any property so received and not delivered to the true owner or finder may be appropriated to the use of the city upon the order of the city manager, and such property not appropriated to city use may be sold by consignment or at public auction to the highest bidder.

(Prior code § 2-3.06)

The chief of police shall sell by consignment or at auction at a location he selects all property which has been in his custody for a period of at least six months as abandoned property or property found and unclaimed and as to which no owner is known or can be found with reasonable effort at the time of the publication of the notice as provided in Section 2.24.080 of this chapter.

(Prior code § 2-3.07)

The chief of police shall cause a notice of sale at auction to be published in a newspaper printed and circulated within the city at least five days prior to the date of sale. Such notice shall specify the particular items to be sold.

(Prior code § 2-3.08)

(Ord. No. 2026-545, § 2, 6-9-2026)

The sale shall be held at the time and place specified in the notice and shall be by auction with sale to the highest bidder. However, any and all bids may be refused if deemed inadequate. Delivery shall be made to the accepted purchaser.

(Prior code § 2-3.09)

After such auction is completed, the proceeds of the auction shall be delivered to the finance director for deposit in the general fund.

(Prior code § 2-3.10)

Any property advertised and offered for sale, but not sold and not suitable for appropriation to the use of the city, shall be deemed to be of no value and shall be disposed of in such manner as the chief of police directs.

(Prior code § 2-3.11)

Any property coming into the possession of the chief of police which he determines to be dangerous or perishable may be disposed of immediately without notice in such manner as he determines to be in the public interest.

(Prior code § 2-3.12)

The provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to apply to any property or money subject to confiscation under the laws of the state or of the United States of America and shall apply to the property or money held as evidence only when the same is unclaimed by any person and no other provisions of law are applicable concerning its disposition.

(Prior code § 2-3.13)