Charlotte City Code

Chapter 2: ADMINSTRATION
ARTICLE II.  ENFORCEMENT AND APPEALS

Sec. 2-25.  Appeals of civil penalty assessments.

(a) Unless another procedure is established for a particular violation by ordinance or state law, appeals of civil penalty assessments shall be governed by this section.

(b) Any person assessed a civil penalty may appeal by filing a written notice of appeal with the city within 30 days from the date of assessment. Failure to file a notice of appeal within this time period shall constitute a waiver of the right to contest the civil penalty.

(c) Appeals shall be heard by a hearing officer through a quasijudicial process. The city manager may establish rules and procedures that govern the appeal and quasijudicial hearing process. Such rules may include a requirement that, for specified violations, a bond equal to the amount of the civil penalty be posted at the time a notice of appeal is filed.

(d) A hearing officer's decision on a civil penalty appeal is subject to further review in the superior court of the county by proceedings in the nature of certiorari. Any petition for writ of certiorari shall be filed with the clerk of superior court within 30 days after the date that the hearing officer's written decision is issued.

(Ord. No. 2447, § 1, 11-24-2003)

Chapter 14: MOTER VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC

ARTICLE II.  ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT*

Sec. 14-64.  Towing of illegally parked vehicles.

Any illegally parked vehicle may be towed. Any vehicle that has been towed for a parking violation is to be held until the towing fee and penalties related to all outstanding parking tickets and penalties owed to the city are paid in full or a bond is posted in the amount of the towing fee and all outstanding parking tickets and penalties. Payment of the towing fee and all outstanding parking tickets and penalties shall not constitute a waiver of a person's right to contest the towing or the outstanding parking tickets and penalties.

(Code 1985, § 14-82)

Sec. 14-65.  Wheel locks.

(a) An illegally parked vehicle for which there are three or more outstanding, unpaid, and overdue parking tickets for a period of 90 days or more may be immobilized through the use of wheel locks. Any vehicle that has been immobilized is to remain immobilized until an immobilization fee and penalties related to all outstanding parking tickets and penalties owed to the city are paid in full or a bond is posted in the amount of the immobilization fee and all outstanding parking tickets and penalties. Payment of the immobilization fee and all outstanding parking tickets and penalties shall not constitute a waiver of a person's right to contest the immobilization or the outstanding parking tickets and penalties.

(b) If a wheel lock is attached to a vehicle, a notice shall be affixed to the windshield or other part of the vehicle so as to be readily visible. The notice shall warn that the vehicle has been immobilized and that any attempt to move the vehicle may result in damage thereto. The notice shall also state the total amount of civil penalties due for parking tickets which are overdue, unpaid, and attributable to such vehicle and that an immobilization fee is also being charged. The address and telephone number to be contacted to pay the charges and have the wheel lock removed shall also be listed. The city shall not be responsible for any damage to an immobilized vehicle resulting from unauthorized attempts to free or move that vehicle.

(c) The director is authorized to establish and revise, from time to time, an immobilization fee in an amount that does not exceed $50.00.

(Code 1985, § 14-83)