§ 12-71. Motor Vehicle(s), or Vessel(s).  


Effective on Tuesday, June 21, 2016
  • Except as provided for in other regulations, The presence of an unlicensed, abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, derelict or inoperative vehicle(s) or vessel(s), on any private or public property, is declared to constitute a public nuisance that shall be abated as such in accordance with the provisions of section 12-72. The tearing down, stripping or junking of such vehicle(s) or vessel(s) shall be permitted only where and when such use is specifically authorized, permitted, or licensed under other ordinances of the city and in strict accordance therewith; or which use is conducted entirely within the confines of an accessory building, carport, or garage, then only provided that such vehicle(s) or vessel(s) is the property of the owner or occupier of the lot and that such use is not a commercial use of the property, unless such use is authorized by other ordinances of the city.

    Derelict Vehicle(s) or Vessel(s).

    A vehicle or vessel, or parts thereof, shall be deemed to be "derelict" if the vehicle(s) or vessel(s) is:

    1) Inoperable to the extent that it is unable to perform its original intended function or;

    2) Partially or wholly dismantled or;

    3) In a condition that prevents legal operation or;

    4) Junked or intended to be recycled, scrapped, or;

    5) Unlicensed

    This section defining derelict and abandon vehicle(s) or vessel(s) shall not apply to the following:

    1) A vehicle(s) or vessel(s)that is enclosed in a secure building;

    2) A vehicle(s) or vessel(s) on the premises of a business enterprise operated in a lawful place and manner when necessary to the operation of the business enterprise as determined by the Lake Wales Code of Ordinances;

                            3) A vehicle(s) or vessel(s) in an appropriate storage or depository facility maintained in a lawful place and manner by a governmental agency;

    4) An antique motor vehicle as defined in F.S. 320.086 which is licensed as provided by law.

    5) A vehicle(s) or vessel(s) which is covered by an intact custom vehicle or vessel cover made for the specific type and size of vehicle or vessel which it covers.

    a) In no instance shall a person have more than one (1) custom covered vehicle or vessel on his or her residential property or two (2) custom covered vehicles, vessels, or combination thereof on his or her non residential property

    b) No custom covered vehicle(s) or vessel(s) may be stored on public property or right-of-way.

    6) A race car that is currently actively engaged in racing and equipped for racing with roll cage, windows removed, drivers name, sponsors and number displayed. Demolition race cars shall be considered derelict vehicles two weeks after the demolition race.

                           7) An automobile repair shop may only have derelict vehicles on the premises for the time necessary under agreement for repair with business                              customers; automobile dealers may not have derelict vehicles on the premises for resale.

(Ord. No. 2016-08, § 2, 06-21-16)