AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING ABANDONMENT OF VEHICLES; RESTRICTING THE DISPOSITION OR KEEPING OF WRECKED, NON-OPERATING, OR DISCARDED VEHICLES ON STREETS OR PRIVATE PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR IMPOUNDING OF CERTAIN VEHICLES; AND IMPOSING PENALTIES.

WHEREAS, In the City of Lexington vehicles are or may be in the future abandoned in the streets and other places within the city; and WHEREAS, there are or may be in the future dismantled, partially dismantled, wrecked, junked, non-operating, or discarded vehicles left about the city other than in junkyards or other appropriate places; and WHEREAS, such conditions tend to impede traffic in the streets or interfere with the enjoyment of and reduce the value of private property, invite plundering, create fire hazards and other safety, and health hazards to the public, interfere with the comfort and well-being of the public, and create, extend, and aggravate urban blight; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF LEXINGTON:

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SECTION I. DEFINITIONS. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this Ordinance:

1. Abandon shall mean any partially dismantled, non-operating, wrecked, junked, or discarded vehicle, which is allowed to remain on public property longer than forty-eight (48) hours or on private property longer than six (6) months.

2. Person shall mean any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, entity, or organization of any kind.

3. Property shall mean any real property within the city which is not a street or highway.

4. Street or Highway shall mean the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained road, including the full right of way thereof when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

5. Vehicle shall mean a machine propelled by power other than human power designated to travel along the ground by use of wheels, trends, runners, or slides and transport persons or property or pull machinery, and shall include, without limitation, automobile, truck, trailer, motorcycle, buggy, wagon, tractor, or other farm machinery.

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SECTION II. ABANDONMENT OF VEHICLES.

No person in charge or control of any property within the city, whether as owner, agent, tenant, occupant, lessee, or otherwise, shall abandon any vehicle within the city, and no person shall leave any vehicle at any place within the city for such time and under the circumstances as to cause such vehicle to be considered abandoned under this ordinance.

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SECTION III. LEAVING OF WRECKED, NON-OPERATING VEHICLE ON STREET.

No person shall leave any partially dismantled, non-operating, wrecked, or junked vehicle on any street or highway within the city.