West Sacramento Municipal Code Art. VII Costs of Abating Vehicles

The city manager shall keep an account of the costs and expenses of abatement under this article and shall submit a statement of such costs to the person or persons served with the notice of intention to abate. Such person shall be liable to the city for any and all costs and expenses set forth in the statement. These costs may be assessed against the property as a lien or made a personal obligation of the owner as provided in Chapter 19.05 of this code.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the costs of abating any abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle(s) or parts thereof, including the actual tow costs, plus an administrative fee covering direct and indirect overhead to be set by resolution of the city council, is the joint and several personal obligation of the property owner and the last registered owner; provided, however, that a property owner who establishes lack of responsibility for the presence of the vehicle or parts on the property as permitted by this chapter shall not be personally liable for the costs; and provided, further, the last registered owner who can satisfy the requirements of Vehicle Code Section 22545(b) shall not be personally liable for the costs. The city manager shall take the appropriate steps to collect the costs from those who are liable including, but not limited to, the procedures set forth in Chapter 19.05 of this code.

(Ord. 03-1 § 2; Ord. 12-11 § 3)