McFarland Municipal Code Ch. 2.32 Disposal of Unclaimed Property

When lost, abandoned or otherwise unclaimed property, except vehicles subject to registration under the California Vehicle Code, comes into possession of the city police department, the police department may hold or store the same until it is claimed and all just and reasonable charges for saving and storage thereof have been paid.

(Ord. 70 §1, 1963)

The police department shall hold all unclaimed property in its possession under Section 2.32.010 for a period of six months. If the owner or other person entitled to the possession thereof fails to claim the property within six months after the same comes into the possession of the city police department, the chief of police may sell it to the highest bidder at public auction at the place where the same may be held or stored, first having caused notice of sale to be given at least five days before the time fixed for sale, by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county where the sale is to be held. Any excess in the proceeds of the sale after paying such charges and expenses of sale, including but not limited to the costs of advertising, shall be deposited in the city treasury in the general fund. On payment of the price bid for the property to the highest bidder with a bill of sale stating that the sale is made without warranty and in accordance with this chapter and the provisions of Section 1873 of the California Civil Code. In any case where there is no bid offered for the property, or if the highest bid offered does not exceed the charges for saving, holding and storage and expenses of sale, the same shall become the property of the city as compensation for expenses incurred.

(Ord. 70 §2, 1963)