Mission Viejo Municipal Code Ch. 11.25 Unlawful Possession of a Catalytic Converter Prohibited

It shall be unlawful for any person, group or ("possessor") to possess any catalytic converter(s) that is not attached to a vehicle, unless the possessor has valid "documentation or other reliable proof" to verify that they are in lawful possession of the catalytic converter(s).

(a) For purposes of this section, "lawful possession" includes (1) being the lawful owner of the catalytic converter or (2) in possession of the catalytic converter with the lawful owner's written consent. It is not required to prove the catalytic converter was stolen to establish the possession is not a "lawful possession."

(b) For purposes of this section, "documentation or other reliable proof" means written document(s) that clearly identify the vehicle from which the catalytic converter originated based on the totality of the circumstances, and includes, but is not limited to, the following types of documents:

(1) Bill of sale from the original owner with photographs or similar visual representation.

(2) Documentation from an auto-body shop proving that the owner relinquished the catalytic converter to the auto-body shop.

(3) Verifiable electronic communication from the previous owner to the possessor relinquishing ownership of the catalytic converter.

(4) Photographs or similar visual representation of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter originated.

(d) Each violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation, including, but not limited to, possessing multiple catalytic converter(s) during a single contact by law enforcement or the locating of catalytic converters at other locations but arising from the initial contact by law enforcement or any other circumstance connecting the potential violator to the unlawful possession of the catalytic converter(s) and shall be subject to all remedies and enforcement measures authorized by the Mission Viejo Municipal Code. For clarity, each catalytic converter unlawfully possessed is a separate violation of this section.

(e) It is unlawful and a misdemeanor subject to punishment in accordance with section[title] 1 of the Mission Viejo Municipal Code, for any person to violate any provision of this section.

(f) The remedies provided herein are not to be construed as exclusive remedies. The city is authorized to pursue any proceedings or remedies provided by law.

(Ord. No. 22-344, § 2, 4-12-22)