Release of immobilized or impounded vehicle

(a)

An immobilized vehicle under this chapter may be released by the city upon: Payment of all parking fines, costs, and immobilization fees; a parking division review determination to release the immobilization device without penalty; or upon a hearing officer finding in favor of the person challenging the immobilization.

(b)

A vehicle immobilized under this chapter with a "self-releasing" device may be released by the city upon: Payment of all parking fines, costs, and immobilization fees; a parking division review determination to release the immobilization device without penalty; or upon a hearing officer finding in favor of the person challenging the immobilization.

(1)

Upon approval of release, the director, or their designee, will provide the customer with a unique code to enter on the device to release it from the vehicle as well as instructions for removing said device.

(2)

The operator of the immobilized vehicle shall then return the "self-releasing" immobilization device to one of the parking division's identified drop off locations.

(3)

Failure to return the self-releasing device within twenty-four (24) hours will result in additional penalties to the vehicle owner.

(c)

A vehicle impounded under this chapter may be released upon: Payment of all parking penalties, costs, towing, storage, and administrative fees in accordance with F.S. § 713.78; or upon the posting of a cash or surety bond totaling all applicable amounts owed until the disposition of any hearing held in accordance with section F.S. § 713.78. A person who posts a bond under this section and fails to file a complaint within the time period required under F.S. § 713.78 shall have waived his or her right to a hearing on the impoundment and the total amount of the posted bond shall be forfeited to the city.

(Ord. No. 2025-43, § 2 (Exh. A), 4-17-2025)

State Law reference— Liens for recovering, towing, or storing vehicles and vessels, F.S. § 713.78.