Sec. 18-58. - Release procedures.

(a)

Vehicles shall be released only to the current registered or legal owner upon satisfactory proof of current vehicle registration.

(b)

The registered or legal owner shall bring acceptable photo identification and current vehicle registration to the sheriff's department. These documents may be presented at the front desk of the sheriff's department at the Hall of Justice, 600 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, California on any day of the week during normal working hours.

(c)

After examination of the documents submitted for review, sheriff's department personnel shall determine whether the vehicle can be released to the registered owner/legal owner. All persons taking custody of the vehicle must be legally entitled to operate a motor vehicle of the class being released upon public roadways, or, in lieu thereof, be in the company of a driver licensed to operate such a motor vehicle.

(d)

If the above conditions are satisfied, the registered owner/legal owner will be asked to pay a release fee in cash, or personal check, or with a cashier's check. Payment of the release fee shall not be required if a copy of a theft report to a law enforcement agency is presented which establishes that the vehicle had been stolen prior to the time of the vehicle impound.

(e)

A receipt shall be issued for payment and a release form will be generated by the sheriff's department identifying the vehicle and the person authorized to take custody of the vehicle.

(f)

Once a release form is issued, the owner can retrieve the vehicle from the tow company upon presentation of the authorized release. The department shall also send a copy of the release to the tow company to verify the document's authenticity.

(Ord. No. 5036 § 1, 1997.)