§ 53-112. Penalty; impounding and repossession of vehicle.

(a)

Any person violating any provision of this article shall be subject to civil penalties in an amount specified in the current fee schedule.

(b)

The civil penalty may be recovered by the county in a civil action in the nature of debt if the offender does not pay the penalty to the county finance office within ten days after the offender has been cited for a violation.

(c)

The county manager, in his discretion, may designate one or more officers to assist the sheriff's department in the enforcement of this article. Such authorization shall be in writing and shall be retained in the office of the clerk to the board of commissioners. Designated officers may issue citations for civil penalties, and law enforcement officers may issue citations for civil penalties for criminal or other sanctions made available by G.S. 153A-123. However, if it becomes necessary to remove a vehicle, the police officer shall contact the sheriff's department to remove the vehicle.

(d)

When the county officer requests a tow truck pursuant to the sheriff's department's rotation list, the officer shall remain at the vehicle until the tow truck arrives. If the operator of the vehicle arrives after the towing request has been made but prior to the towing of the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle shall pay the cost of the tow truck. When a vehicle is removed and impounded, the sheriff's department shall notify the owner of the vehicle or, if the owner is unknown, shall promptly advertise the impounding of the vehicle once in a newspaper published in the county. After advertisement, the owner of the vehicle may redeem the vehicle upon payment of removal costs, storage costs, advertisement costs, and applicable penalties.

(Code 1978, § 12-63; Ord. of 7-17-2017)