Rising Sun's Abandoned Vehicle Ordinance Takes Effect Starting May 1

The Ohio Co. Sheriff's Office has been asked to start tagging abandoned vehicles May 1.

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(Rising Sun, Ind.) - The City of Rising Sun has requested, Starting May 1, the Ohio County Sheriff's Office begin tagging abandoned vehicles that are in violation of the City's' Code of Ordinances governing abandoned vehicles. 

Under the city ordinance, an abandoned vehicle is any of the following: 

• Any vehicle located on public property illegally;
• A vehicle left on public property without being moved for twenty-four (24) hours;
• A vehicle located on public property in such a manner as to constitute a hazard or obstruction to the movement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a public right-of-way;
• A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of that property for more than forty-eight (48) hours;
• A vehicle from which the engine, transmission, or differential has been removed or that is otherwise partially dismantled or inoperable and left on public property;
• A vehicle that has been removed by a towing service or public agency upon request of an officer enforcing a statute or ordinance other than this chapter if the impounded vehicle is not claimed or redeemed by the owner or the owner's agent within twenty (20) days after the vehicle's removal.
• A vehicle that is at least three (3) model years old, is mechanically inoperable, and is left on private property continuously in a location visible from public property for more than twenty (20) days.  For purposes of this chapter, a vehicle covered by a tarpaulin or other plastic, vinyl, rubber, cloth, or textile covering is considered to be visible; and/or
• A vehicle: (1) that was repaired or stored at the request of the owner; (2) that has not been claimed by the owner; and (3) for which the reasonable value of the charges associated with the repair or storage remain unpaid more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the repair work is completed or the vehicle is first stored.

Rising Sun residents are advised to ensure that any vehicle on your property is not in violation of Abandoned Vehicle Ordinance prior to May 1. 

Any vehicle tagged that is not brought into compliance with the ordinance shall be subject to being towed and the owner shall be responsible for the costs associated with the towing and the storage of the abandoned vehicle. 

Unpaid costs may result in the abandoned vehicle being sold pursuant to State statute and the town ordinance.