City Code Section
(Amended by Ordinances 165980, 167222, 175648, 176352 and 191856, effective August 7, 2024.)
- A. In accordance with ORS 87.152 and ORS 819.160, any private company that tows and stores any vehicle pursuant to this Chapter shall have a lien on the vehicle for the just and reasonable charges for the tow and storage services performed. The company may retain possession of that vehicle, consistent with this Chapter, until towing, storage, and administrative fees have been paid.
- B. If the required towing, storage, and administrative fees have been paid, a vehicle towed under this Chapter must be immediately released to a person entitled to lawful possession of the vehicle.
- C. A vehicle towed pursuant to this Chapter may only be released to (1) the owner of the vehicle, (2) a person entitled to lawful possession of the vehicle, or (3) any person the owner authorizes in writing to reclaim the vehicle on behalf of the owner. Evidence of ownership or the right to possession of the vehicle must be presented prior to release of the vehicle. Any person who drives a released vehicle from an impound facility must first show proof that the person is licensed to drive in accordance with ORS Chapter 807 and insured in accordance with ORS 806.080. Vehicles may be towed from an impound facility by a tower authorized to operate a towing business in the state of Oregon.
- D. The owner of any vehicle towed pursuant to this Chapter and not reclaimed is liable for all towing, storage, administrative, and demolition fees. Subject to the conditions and limitations of ORS 819.150, the vehicle owner is liable to the City for all costs and expenses incurred in the towing, storage, administrative, and demolition of a hazardous or abandoned vehicle and its contents when the City tows a vehicle under the authority of this Chapter or ORS Chapter 819.
- E. For the purposes of this Section 16.30.520, owner means the owner at the time the vehicle was towed under the authority of this Chapter or ORS Chapter 819.