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Any junk vehicle or parts thereof on private property are hereby declared to be a public nuisance. Costs of removal by the city may be assessed against the last registered owner of the junk vehicle if the identity of the owner can be determined, unless the owner in the transfer of ownership of the vehicle has complied with RCW 46.12.101, or the costs may be assessed against the owner of the property on which the vehicle is stored, provided that:

A. Written notice is given to the last registered owner of record and the property owner of record that a hearing may be requested and that if hearing is requested, the vehicle will be removed;

B. If a request for a hearing is received, a notice giving the time, location, and date of the hearing on the question of abatement and removal of the vehicle or part thereof as a public nuisance shall be mailed, by certified mail, with a five-day return receipt requested, to the owner of the land as shown on the last equalized assessment roll and to the last registered and legal owner of record unless the vehicle is in such condition that identification numbers are not available to determine ownership;

C. This section shall not apply to: (a) a vehicle or part thereof that is completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not visible from the street or other public or private property; or (b) a vehicle or part thereof that is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler or licensed vehicle dealer and is fenced according to RCW 46.80.130;

D. The owner of the land on which the vehicle is located may appear in person at the hearing or present a written statement in time for consideration at the hearing, and deny responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on the land, with the owner’s reasons for the denial. If it is determined at the hearing that the vehicle was placed on the land without the consent of the landowner and that the landowner has not subsequently acquiesced in its presence, then the local agency shall not assess costs of administration or removal of the vehicle against the property upon which the vehicle is located or otherwise attempt to collect the cost from the owner;

E. After notice has been given of the intent of the city, town, or county to dispose of the vehicle and after a hearing, if requested, has been held, the vehicle or part thereof shall be removed at the request of a law enforcement officer with notice to the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Licensing that the vehicle has been wrecked. The city, town, or county may operate such a disposal site when its governing body determines that commercial channels of disposition are not available or are inadequate, and it may make final disposition of such vehicles or parts, or may transfer such vehicle or parts to another governmental body provided such disposal shall be only as scrap;

F. A registered tow truck operator under contract with the city of Bothell for the impounding of vehicles shall comply with any administrative regulations adopted by the city on the handling and depositing of vehicles. (Ord. 1687 § 1, 1997).