§ 27-327. Definitions.  


Latest version.
  • The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

    Abandoned motor vehicle means a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer or part of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that:

    (1)

    Is inoperable and is left unattended on public property, other than an interstate highway or primary highway, for more than 48 hours;

    (2)

    Has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours;

    (3)

    Has remained for more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the property's owner, regardless of whether it was brought onto the private property with the consent of the owner or person in control of the private property;

    (4)

    Is inoperable, left unattended, or both on an interstate highway; or

    (5)

    Is inoperable, left unattended, or both on the shoulder of a primary highway.

    Inoperable abandoned motor vehicle means an abandoned motor vehicle which is inoperable and which the fair market value, as determined by the locality's official responsible for assessing motor vehicles under Code of Virginia, § 58.1-3503, is less than the cost of its restoration to an operable condition.

    Inoperable motor vehicle means any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer:

    (1)

    That is not in operating condition;

    (2)

    For a period of 60 days or longer has been partially or totally disassembled by the removal of tires and wheels, the engine, or other essential parts required for operation of the vehicle; or

    (3)

    On which there are displayed neither valid license plates nor a valid inspection decal. However, the term "inoperable motor vehicle" does not apply to any motor vehicle which is on the premises of a licensed business which on June 26, 1970, was regularly engaged in business as an automobile dealer, salvage dealer or scrap processor.

    Owner of record and persons having security interests of record mean per the records of the State Department of Motor Vehicles.

    Shielded orscreened means hidden from sight, from any ground level location, by vegetation or fences.

    Unattended motor vehicle means any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or part of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is:

    (1)

    Left unattended on a public highway or other public property and constitutes a traffic hazard;

    (2)

    Illegally parked;

    (3)

    Left unattended for more than ten days on public property;

    (4)

    Left unattended for more than 72 hours on private property without the permission of the property owner, lessee, or occupant; or

    (5)

    Immobilized on a public roadway by weather conditions or other emergency situations.

    (Code 1993, § 28-316; Code 2004, § 102-361)

    Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.

    State Law reference— Authority to restrict keeping of inoperable motor vehicles, etc., on residential or commercial property, removal of such vehicles, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-904(A); definitions, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1200; notice to owner of vehicle taken into custody, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1202; removal and disposition of unattended or immobile vehicles, ordinances in counties, cities and towns, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1213; leaving vehicles on private property prohibited, authority of counties, cities, and towns to provide for removal and disposition, notice of disposition, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1215.

(Code 1993, § 28-316; Code 2004, § 102-361)

State law reference

Authority to restrict keeping of inoperable motor vehicles, etc., on residential or commercial property, removal of such vehicles, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-904(A); definitions, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1200; notice to owner of vehicle taken into custody, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1202; removal and disposition of unattended or immobile vehicles, ordinances in counties, cities and towns, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1213; leaving vehicles on private property prohibited, authority of counties, cities, and towns to provide for removal and disposition, notice of disposition, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1215.

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.