Tehama Municipal Code Ch. 4.28 Unclaimed Personal Property

The sheriff of the county is designated as the officer to take care and custody of any unclaimed personal property; however, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent private persons or other governmental agencies having care and custody of unclaimed personal property, as otherwise provided by law.

(Ord. 260 §1, 1959)

The owner or owners of said unclaimed property may reclaim said property from the sheriff of the county by submitting written proof on the forms designated by the sheriff of the county of their right of ownership or possession, subject to Section 4.28.030 of this chapter.

(Ord. 260 §2, 1959)

A. The owner and person entitled to possession shall pay a reasonable charge as may be fixed by the board of supervisors of the county, by resolution, to reimburse the sheriff for expenses reasonably incurred in the care and custody of said unclaimed property.

B. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to compel the sheriff to deliver possession of any unclaimed property to any person if he is in doubt as to the person or persons who are entitled to possession.

(Ord. 260 §§3, 4, 1959)

The sheriff shall keep said unclaimed property in the county jail or other places designated by the board of supervisors of the county. The sheriff of the county shall keep a record of all unclaimed property in his possession.

(Ord. 260 §5, 1959)

Said unclaimed property in the possession of the sheriff may be destroyed providing said destruction is authorized by resolution of the board of supervisors, after finding said property to be valueless or of an insufficient probable value to pay the expenses of holding an auction. However, said property shall not be destroyed, unless otherwise authorized by law, until it has been in the possession of the sheriff for six months.

(Ord. 260 §6, 1959)

When said unclaimed personal property has been held in possession of the sheriff for at least six months, said property may be sold to the highest bidder at a public auction held by the sheriff of the county. The proceeds of said sale shall be paid to the county treasurer.

(Ord. 260 §7, 1959)

Pursuant to Section 217 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code the sheriff may, at his discretion turn unclaimed bicycles and toys over to the Tehama County probation department for use in programs to reduce juvenile delinquency.

(Ord. 1607 §1, 1993)

The sheriff shall cause a notice of said auction to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. Said publication shall be at least five days prior to the holding of said auction.

(Ord. 260 §8, 1959)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to conflict with Sections 1418, 1419, 12028, 12029 and 12030 of the Penal Code of the state, or Section 1952 of the Code of Civil Procedure or any other laws of the state.

(Ord. 260 §9, 1959)