ORDINANCE NUMBER: 1602
AMENDING CHAPTER 14
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE CHARLOTTE CITY CODE ENTITLED "MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC"
Section 1. Chapter 14 of the Charlotte City Code:
Section 14-64. Towing.
Any illegally parked vehicle may be towed. Any vehicle that has been towed for a parking violation is to be held until the towing fee and penalties related to all outstanding parking tickets and penalties owed to the City are paid in full, or a bond is posted in the amount of the towing fee and all outstanding parking tickets and penalties. Payment of the towing fee and all outstanding parking tickets and penalties shall not constitute a waiver of a person's right to contest the towing or the outstanding parking tickets and penalties.
Section 2. Chapter 14 of the Charlotte City Code:
Section 14-65. Wheel Locks.
An illegally parked vehicle for which there are three or more outstanding, unpaid, and overdue parking tickets for a period of 90 days or more may be immobilized through the use of wheel locks. Any vehicle that has been immobilized is to remain immobilized until an immobilization fee and penalties related to all outstanding parking tickets and penalties owed to the City are paid in full, or a bond is posted in the amount of the immobilization fee and all outstanding parking tickets and penalties. Payment of the immobilization fee and all outstanding parking tickets and penalties shall not constitute a waiver of a person's right to contest the immobilization or the outstanding parking tickets and penalties.
If a wheel lock is attached to a vehicle, a notice shall be affixed to the windshield or other part of the vehicle so as to be readily visible. The notice shall warn that the vehicle has been immobilized and that any attempt to move the vehicle may result in damage thereto. The notice shall also state the total amount of civil penalties due for parking tickets which are overdue, unpaid, and attributable to such vehicle, and that an immobilization fee is also being charged. The address and telephone number to be contacted to pay the charges and have the wheel lock removed shall also be listed. The City shall not be responsible for any damage to an immobilized vehicle resulting from unauthorized attempts to free or move that vehicle.
The Director of Transportation is authorized to establish and revise, from time to time, an immobilization fee in an amount that does not exceed $50.
Section 3. Chapter 14 of the Charlotte City Code:
Sec. 14-66. Appeals.
A notice of appeal of a parking ticket shall be filed within twenty-one (21) days after the date of the violation. The failure to give notice of appeal within this time period shall constitute a waiver of the right to contest the ticket. Appeals shall be heard through an administrative process established by the City of Charlotte Department of Transportation. An individual desiring a hearing must post a bond equal to the amount of the civil penalty before an appeal hearing will be scheduled. The hearing officer's decision is subject to review in the Superior Court of Mecklenburg County by proceedings in the nature of certiorari.
