10.20.070 Authority to impound vehicles.
(1) Authorized. Members of the Police Department are authorized to remove a vehicle from a street or highway to the nearest garage or other place of safety or to a garage designated or maintained by the Police Department or otherwise maintained by this City, under the circumstances hereinafter enumerated:
(a) When any vehicle is left unattended upon any bridge, viaduct, or causeway, or in any tunnel where such vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic;
(b) When a vehicle upon a highway or street, including tunnels, bridges, or approaches, is so disabled as to constitute an obstruction to traffic; or when the person or persons in charge of the vehicle are by reason of physical injury incapacitated to such an extent as to be unable to provide for its custody or removal;
(c) When any vehicle is left unattended upon a street and is so parked illegally as to constitute a definite hazard or obstruction to the normal movement of traffic, including driveways.
(2) Notice to Owner. When any vehicle has been parked on any public highway of the City for longer time than allowed by the provisions of this title, the Police of the City may take the vehicle to a public garage or a private garage or order the same so taken and the owner of the vehicle shall pay the towing and storage against the vehicle before receiving it. It is required that tow trucks have City license. Towing and storage rates are to be on file with the Chief of Police.
(3) Costs. Any cost incurred in the removal thereof shall be paid by the owner of the vehicle so removed, and the same shall be a lien upon such vehicle. [Code 1970 § 10.16.130; Code 1954 § 8-10.52.]