Sec. 18-10. - Same—County — Sonoma County Municipal Code

All hearing under this article shall be held before the county abandoned vehicle hearing officer who shall hear all facts and testimony he deems pertinent. Such facts and testimony may include testimony on the condition of the vehicle or part thereof and the circumstances concerning its location on private property or public property. The abandoned vehicle hearing officer shall not be limited by the technical rules of evidence. The owner of the land on which the vehicle is located may appear in person at the hearing or present a written statement for consideration at the hearing, and deny responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on the land, with his reasons for such denial.

The abandoned vehicle hearing officer may impose such conditions and take such other action as he deems appropriate, under the circumstances to carry out the purpose of this article. He may delay the time for removal of the vehicle or part thereof if, in his opinion, the circumstances justify it. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the abandoned vehicle hearing officer may find that a vehicle or part thereof has been abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or is inoperative on private or public property and order the same removed from the property as a public nuisance and dispose of as hereafter provided and determine the administrative cost and the cost of removal to be charged against the owner of the parcel of land on which the vehicle or part thereof is located. The order requiring removal shall include a description of the vehicle or part thereof and the correct identification number and license number of the vehicle if available.

If it is determined at the hearing that the vehicle was placed on the land without the consent of the landowner and that he has not subsequently acquiesced in its presence, the abandoned vehicle hearing officer shall not assess costs of administration or removal of the vehicle against the property upon which the vehicle is located or otherwise attempt to collect such cost from such land owner.

(Ord. No. 1806, § 6; Ord. No. 6023, § I, 3-19-2013.)