San Fernando Municipal Code Div. 1 Generally

In addition to and in accordance with the determination made and the authority granted by the state under Vehicle Code § 22660 to remove abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof as public nuisances, the city council finds and declares that the accumulation and storage of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof on private or public property is found to create a condition tending to reduce the value of private property, to promote blight and deterioration, to invite plundering, to create fire hazards, to constitute an attractive nuisance creating a hazard to the health and safety of minors, to create a harborage for rodents and insects and to be injurious to the health, safety, and general welfare. Therefore, the presence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof on private or public property, except as expressly permitted in this article, is declared to constitute a public nuisance which may be abated as such in accordance with this article.

(Code 1957, § 13.131)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Highway means a way or place of whatever nature publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. The term "highway" includes a street.

Owner of the land means the owner of the land on which the vehicle is or parts of a vehicle are located, as shown on the last equalized assessment roll.

Owner of the vehicle means the last registered owner and legal owner of record.

Vehicle means a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, except a device moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

(Code 1957, § 13.132)

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.

(a) This article shall not apply to the following:

(1) A vehicle or parts of a vehicle completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not visible from the street or other public or private property; or

(2) A vehicle or parts thereof stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler, a licensed vehicle dealer, a junk dealer, or when such storage or parking is necessary to the operation of a lawfully conducted business or commercial enterprise.

(b) Nothing in this section shall authorize the maintenance of a public or private nuisance as defined under provisions of law, other than Vehicle Code ch. 10 (Vehicle Code § 22650 et seq.) and this article.

(Code 1957, § 13.133)

This article is not the exclusive regulation of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles within the city. It shall supplement and be in addition to the other regulatory codes, statutes, and ordinances enacted by the city, the state, or any other legal entity or agency having jurisdiction.

(Code 1957, § 13.134)

Except as otherwise provided, this article shall be administered and enforced by the chief of the police department. In the enforcement of this article, the chief of police and his deputies may enter upon private or public property to examine a vehicle or parts thereof or obtain information as to the identity of a vehicle declared to be a nuisance pursuant to this article.

(Code 1957, § 13.135)

When the city council has contracted with or granted a franchise to any person, such person shall be authorized to enter upon private property or public property to remove or cause the removal of a vehicle or parts thereof declared to be a nuisance pursuant to this article.

(Code 1957, § 13.136)

The city council shall, from time to time by resolution, determine and fix an amount to be assessed as administrative costs under this article, excluding the actual cost of removal of any vehicle or parts thereof pursuant to this article.

(Code 1957, § 13.137)

Cross reference— Administration, ch. 2.

It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to abandon, park, store, or leave or permit the abandonment, parking, storing, or leaving of any licensed or unlicensed vehicle or parts thereof in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative condition upon any private property or public property within the city for a period in excess of three days unless such vehicle is or parts of the vehicle are completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not plainly visible from the street or other public or private property or unless such vehicle is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler, a licensed vehicle dealer, or a junkyard.

(Code 1957, § 13.146)

It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to fail or refuse to remove an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle or parts thereof or to refuse to abate such nuisance when ordered to do so in accordance with division 2 of this article or state law where such state law is applicable.

(Code 1957, § 13.147)