§ 12-146. Impoundment authorized for public convenience and safety.

(a)

Any unoccupied and unattended vehicle found violating the terms of this chapter may be removed and impounded by any police officer or duly authorized enforcement authority and shall be surrendered to the duly identified owner thereof only upon payment of fines, fees and cost of impounding.

(b)

Any vehicle parked in violation of chapter 12, article III, section 12-92 or S.C. Code, Title 56, Chapter 5, Article 19, constitutes an unreasonable interference with the rights of the traveling public and an injury to the public order and is therefore declared to be a public nuisance, and therefore subject to impoundment.

(c)

Any vehicle parked continuously in any metered parking space not taken out of service by the city for a period of 48 or more hours with an accumulation of two or more citations is hereby declared to be a public nuisance.

(d)

Any vehicle parked on a street or other public property, whether in an authorized or unauthorized zone, which is found to be the subject of more than $100.00 or more past due outstanding bonds resulting from the enforcement of this article III of chapter 12 is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, and subject to impoundment.

(e)

In addition to any other abatement procedure or remedy provided for in law, any vehicle identified as a public nuisance may be impounded by a law enforcement officer or parking enforcement authority booting or by giving authorization to a commercial towing or wrecker service to tow the vehicle away and store it in a safe place until claimed by the owner or impounded by authorized enforcement agents by immobilization in such a manner as to prevent its operation.

(f)

Such impoundment shall be immediately reported to the police department, who shall maintain timely and accurate records of impoundment.

(Ord. No. 2016-62, 8-9-16)