A. Upon discovery of a junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk as defined in Chapter 46.55 RCW, as now enacted or hereafter amended, the Building Official or the Police Department may contact the landowner, as defined in Chapter 46.55 RCW, as now enacted or hereafter amended, where the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk is located, and determine if the landowner claims any ownership interest in or bailment responsibility for the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk. If the landowner claims no ownership or bailment interest, the Building Official or Police Department shall have the landowner execute a statement to that effect under penalty of perjury.

B. If the landowner claims an ownership interest or bailment responsibility for the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk located upon his property, the Building Official or the Police Department may proceed to deal with the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk as provided in Section 10.36.030.

C. Upon execution by the landowner of the statement of no ownership or bailment interest in the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk, the Building Official or Police Department shall cause a notification (junk vehicle) form to be mailed to the vehicle’s registered legal owner of record by certified mail. Additionally, the notification shall inform the owner of the City’s intent to dispose of the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk. If the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk remains unclaimed more than fifteen (15) days after the junk vehicle notification form was mailed, the Building Official or Police Department may have the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk removed with notice to the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Licensing that the junk vehicle has been wrecked.

D. If no information on the owner of the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk is available after the landowner has executed the statement of no ownership or bailment interest, the Building Official or Police Department may place a legal notice of custody and sale in the official newspaper of the City. This notice shall comply with RCW 46.55.230(5), as now enacted or hereafter amended, and shall additionally inform the owner of the City’s intent to dispose of the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk. If the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk remains unclaimed more than twenty (20) days after publication of the notice, the Building Official or Police Department may have the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk removed with notice to the Washington State Patrol and Department of Licensing that the junk vehicle has been wrecked. (Ord. 3027, 5/23/23; Ord. 1209, 1986)