§ 28-70. Definitions.

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, inoperative or discarded motor vehicle shall mean a motor vehicle which is in a state of disuse, neglect, or abandonment, a motor vehicle without a license plate, a motor vehicle with a license plate that is not registered to that motor vehicle, a motor vehicle that does not have a registration sticker affixed to the license plate, or a motor vehicle that has a registration sticker affixed to the license plate which has been expired for a period of at least ninety days. Evidence of disuse, neglect or abandonment may include, but is not limited to, factors such as: vehicle being wrecked and inoperative; inoperative as evidenced by vegetation underneath as high as the vehicle body or frame; refuse or debris collected underneath or the vehicle being used solely for storage purposes; if it is partially dismantled, having no engine, transmission, or other major and visible parts; having major and visible parts which are dismantled; incapable of functioning as a motor vehicle in its present state; has only nominal salvage value; or being in any physical state rendering it inoperative. If the primary apparent evidence of disuse, neglect, or abandonment is vegetation growing under the vehicle, then the enforcement officer shall use his/her training and experience to determine whether, under the totality of the circumstances, the vehicle is in a state of evident disuse, neglect or abandonment. A vehicle will be considered abandoned or derelict if it is in an evident state of extended disuse or neglect.

Carport shall mean an open-sided structure which is used solely for the parking of motor vehicles which belong to the occupants of the principal building.

Dismantled motor vehicle shall mean a motor vehicle which has been completely separated into pieces or components for a period of at least seven (7) days.

Enforcement officer shall mean the county sheriff or any of his deputies, or any other person designated by resolution of the board of county commissioners to enforce the provisions of this article.

Editor's note— By Res. No. 86-Z-06, enacted April 14, 1986, the board of county commissioners declared that the supervisor and inspectors of the Orange County Area improvement section of the zoning department shall be the enforcement officers under this article.

Garage shall mean a walled accessory building or walled portion of the principal building, excluding a carport, which is used for the parking of motor vehicles which belong to the occupants of the principal building.

Inoperative motor vehicle. See "abandoned, inoperative or discarded motor vehicle."

Motor vehicle shall mean any vehicle which is self-propelled, except any vehicle that is operated principally on a farm, grove, or orchard in an agricultural zoned area in connection with a bona fide agricultural, horticultural, or livestock pursuit.

Nominal salvage value shall mean a salvage value of not more than one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00), as appraised under standard practices by a motor vehicle salvage dealer.

Parked shall mean the standing of a motor vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or embarking or disembarking passengers.

Partly dismantled motor vehicle shall mean a motor vehicle which has been partially separated into pieces or components for a period of at least seven (7) days.

Severely rusted motor vehicle shall mean a motor vehicle which, excluding its windows, windshield, and underside, is rusted on at least fifty (50) percent of its body exterior.

Standard cover shall mean a nontransparent cover which is designed, manufactured and intended to be used exclusively for the purpose of fitting over the type of motor vehicle in question.

Wrecked motor vehicle shall mean a motor vehicle which is in a state of ruin or dilapidation or in a condition of broken, disrupted, and disordered parts.

(Code 1965, § 22-56; Ord. No. 86-7, § 6, 4-14-86; Ord. No. 93-07, § 9, 4-6-93; Ord. No. 2002-19, § 1, 12-3-02)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.