CHAPTER 1. ABANDONED VEHICLES - Indiana Statutes

IC 9-22
    ARTICLE 22. ABANDONED, SALVAGED, AND SCRAP VEHICLES

IC 9-22-1
     Chapter 1. Abandoned Vehicles

IC 9-22-1-1
Application of chapter
     Sec. 1. This chapter does not apply to the following:
        (1) A vehicle in operable condition specifically adapted or constructed for operation on privately owned raceways.
        (2) A vehicle stored as the property of a member of the armed forces of the United States who is on active duty assignment.
        (3) A vehicle located on a vehicle sale lot.
        (4) A vehicle located upon property licensed or zoned as an automobile scrapyard.
        (5) A vehicle registered and licensed under IC 9-18-12 as an antique vehicle.
        (6) A golf cart.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.108-2001, SEC.2; P.L.150-2009, SEC.15.

IC 9-22-1-2
Officer defined
     Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "officer" means the following:
        (1) A regular member of the state police department.
        (2) A regular member of a city or town police department.
        (3) A town marshal or town marshal deputy.
        (4) A regular member of the county police force.
        (5) An individual of an agency designated by ordinance of the fiscal body.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10.

IC 9-22-1-3
Public agency defined
     Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "public agency" means a local agency given the responsibility by statute or ordinance for the removal, storage, and disposal of abandoned vehicles.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.191-2007, SEC.6.

IC 9-22-1-3.5
Storage yard defined
     Sec. 3.5. As used in this chapter, "storage yard" means a storage facility or a towing service used for the removal and storage of abandoned vehicles or parts.
As added by P.L.104-2005, SEC.2.

IC 9-22-1-4
Responsibility and liability of owner of abandoned vehicle or parts;

limitation of costs for storage
     Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c), the person who owns an abandoned vehicle or parts is:
        (1) responsible for the abandonment; and
        (2) liable for all of the costs incidental to the removal, storage, and disposal;
of the vehicle or the parts under this chapter.
    (b) The costs for storage of an abandoned vehicle may not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).
    (c) If an abandoned vehicle is sold by a person who removed, towed, or stored the vehicle, the person who previously owned the vehicle is not responsible for storage fees.
    (d) If an abandoned vehicle is sold by a person who removed, towed, or stored the vehicle, and proceeds from the sale of the vehicle covered the removal, towing, and storage expenses, any remaining proceeds from the sale of the vehicle shall be returned to the previous owner of the vehicle if the previous owner is known.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.104-2005, SEC.3; P.L.191-2007, SEC.7.

IC 9-22-1-5
Discovery of possession by person other than vehicle owner
     Sec. 5. When an officer discovers a vehicle in the possession of a person other than the person who owns the vehicle and the person cannot establish the right to possession of the vehicle, the vehicle shall be taken to and stored in a suitable place.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10.

IC 9-22-1-6
Notice to bureau of vehicle discovered in possession of person other than owner
     Sec. 6. The bureau shall be notified within seventy-two (72) hours of the location and description of a vehicle described in section 5 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.191-2007, SEC.8.

IC 9-22-1-7
Inability to determine ownership; declaring vehicle abandoned
     Sec. 7. If:
        (1) the person who owns or holds a lien under section 8 of this chapter does not appear and pay all costs; or
        (2) the person who owns a vehicle cannot be determined by a search conducted under section 19 of this chapter;
the vehicle is considered abandoned and must be disposed of under this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.191-2007, SEC.9.

IC 9-22-1-8
Release to owner or lienholder of stored vehicle
     Sec. 8. If the properly identified person who owns or holds a lien

on a vehicle appears at the site of storage before disposal of the vehicle or parts and pays all costs incurred against the vehicle or parts at that time, the vehicle or parts shall be released.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10.

IC 9-22-1-9
Release; contents; notice by towing service
     Sec. 9. The release must state the name, signature, and address of the person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle, a description of the vehicle or parts, costs, and date of release. A towing service shall notify the appropriate public agency of all releases under section 8 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.66-1992, SEC.4; P.L.191-2007, SEC.10.

IC 9-22-1-10
Repealed
    (Repealed by P.L.191-2007, SEC.21.)

IC 9-22-1-11
Tagging abandoned vehicle or parts
     Sec. 11. An officer who finds or is notified of a vehicle or parts believed to be abandoned shall attach in a prominent place a notice tag containing the following information:
        (1) The date, time, officer's name, public agency, and address and telephone number to contact for information.
        (2) That the vehicle or parts are considered abandoned.
        (3) That the vehicle or parts will be removed after:
            (A) twenty-four (24) hours, if the vehicle is located on or within the right-of-way of an interstate highway or any highway that is designated as part of the state highway system under IC 8-23-4; or
            (B) seventy-two (72) hours, for any other vehicle.
        (4) That the person who owns the vehicle will be held responsible for all costs incidental to the removal, storage, and disposal of the vehicle.
        (5) That the person who owns the vehicle may avoid costs by removal of the vehicle or parts within:
            (A) twenty-four (24) hours, if the vehicle is located on or within the right-of-way of an interstate highway or any highway that is designated as part of the state highway system under IC 8-23-4; or
            (B) seventy-two (72) hours, for any other vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.66-1992, SEC.5; P.L.131-2008, SEC.47; P.L.54-2009, SEC.6.

IC 9-22-1-12
Officer's abandoned vehicle report; photographs
     Sec. 12. If a vehicle or a part tagged under section 11 of this chapter is not removed within the applicable period, the officer shall

prepare a written abandoned vehicle report of the vehicle or parts, including information on the condition, missing parts, and other facts that might substantiate the estimated market value of the vehicle or parts. Photographs shall be taken to describe the condition of the vehicle or parts.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.131-2008, SEC.48.

IC 9-22-1-13
Disposal of vehicle or parts; retention of records and photographs by bureau
     Sec. 13. (a) If in the opinion of the officer the market value of an abandoned vehicle or parts determined in accordance with section 12 of this chapter is less than:
        (1) five hundred dollars ($500); or
        (2) in a municipality that has adopted an ordinance under subsection (b), the amount established by the ordinance;
the officer shall immediately dispose of the vehicle to a storage yard. A copy of the abandoned vehicle report and photographs relating to the abandoned vehicle shall be forwarded to the bureau. A towing service may dispose of an abandoned vehicle not less than thirty (30) days after the date on which the towing service removed the abandoned vehicle. A city, county, or town that operates a storage yard under IC 36-9-30-3 may dispose of an abandoned vehicle to an automobile scrapyard or an automotive salvage recycler upon removal of the abandoned vehicle. The public agency disposing of the vehicle shall retain the original records and photographs for at least two (2) years.
    (b) The legislative body of a municipality (as defined in IC 36-1-2-11) may adopt an ordinance that establishes the market value below which an officer may dispose of a vehicle or parts under subsection (a). However, the market value established by the ordinance may not be more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750).
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.92-1997, SEC.2; P.L.104-2005, SEC.4; P.L.191-2007, SEC.11.

IC 9-22-1-14
Duties of tagging officer; towing and storage of vehicle or parts
     Sec. 14. (a) If in the opinion of the officer the market value of the abandoned vehicle or parts determined in accordance with section 12 of this chapter is at least:
        (1) five hundred dollars ($500); or
        (2) in a municipality that has adopted an ordinance under section 13(b) of this chapter, the amount established by the ordinance;
the officer, before placing a notice tag on the vehicle or parts, shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain the person who owns the vehicle or parts or who may be in control of the vehicle or parts.
    (b) After seventy-two (72) hours, the officer shall require the vehicle or parts to be towed to a storage yard or towing service. As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.92-1997, SEC.3; P.L.104-2005, SEC.5.

IC 9-22-1-15
Discovery of vehicle abandoned on private property
     Sec. 15. (a) A person who finds a vehicle believed to be abandoned on private property that the person owns or controls, including rental property, may:
        (1) obtain the assistance of an officer under section 18 of this chapter to have the vehicle removed; or
        (2) personally arrange for the removal of the vehicle by complying with subsection (b) and section 16 of this chapter.
    (b) If the person wishes to personally arrange for the removal of the vehicle, the person shall attach in a prominent place a notice tag containing the following information:
        (1) The date, time, name, and address of the person who owns or controls the private property and a telephone number to contact for information.
        (2) That the vehicle is considered abandoned.
        (3) That the vehicle will be removed after twenty-four (24) hours.
        (4) That the person who owns the vehicle will be held responsible for all costs incidental to the removal, storage, and disposal of the vehicle.
        (5) That the person who owns the vehicle may avoid costs by removal of the vehicle or parts within twenty-four (24) hours.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.130-1995, SEC.1; P.L.108-2001, SEC.3; P.L.54-2009, SEC.7.

IC 9-22-1-16
Towing vehicle from private property
     Sec. 16. (a) If after twenty-four (24) hours the person who owns a vehicle believed to be abandoned on private property that the person owns or controls, including rental property, has not removed the vehicle from the private property, the person who owns or controls the private property may have the vehicle towed from the private property.
    (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), in an emergency situation a vehicle may be removed immediately. As used in this subsection, "emergency situation" means that the presence of the abandoned vehicle interferes physically with the conduct of normal business operations of the person who owns or controls the private property or poses a threat to the safety or security of persons or property, or both.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.130-1995, SEC.2; P.L.108-2001, SEC.4; P.L.104-2005, SEC.6; P.L.191-2007, SEC.12; P.L.54-2009, SEC.8.

IC 9-22-1-17
Notice to bureau given by service towing vehicle from rental

property
     Sec. 17. A towing service that tows a vehicle under section 5 or 16 of this chapter shall give notice to the public agency that the abandoned vehicle is in the possession of the towing service.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.191-2007, SEC.13.

IC 9-22-1-18
Complaint by person owning or controlling private property
     Sec. 18. Upon complaint of a person who owns or controls private property that a vehicle has been left on the property for at least forty-eight (48) hours without the consent of the person who owns or controls the property, an officer shall follow the procedures set forth in sections 11 through 14 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10.

IC 9-22-1-19
Abandoned vehicle report; national data base search; notice to owner or lienholder; reimbursement
     Sec. 19. (a) Within seventy-two (72) hours after removal of a vehicle to a storage yard or towing service under section 5, 13, 14, or 16 of this chapter, the public agency or towing service shall do the following:
        (1) Prepare and forward to the bureau a report containing a description of the vehicle, including the following information concerning the vehicle:
            (A) The make.
            (B) The model.
            (C) The identification number.
            (D) The number of the license plate.
        (2) Conduct a search of national data bases, including a data base of vehicle identification numbers, to attempt to obtain the name and address of the person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle.
    (b) Notwithstanding section 4 of this chapter, if the public agency or towing service fails to notify the bureau of the removal of an abandoned vehicle within seventy-two (72) hours after the vehicle is removed as required by subsection (a), the public agency or towing service:
        (1) may not initially collect more in reimbursement for the costs of storing the vehicle than the cost incurred for storage for seventy-two (72) hours; and
        (2) subject to subsection (c), may collect further reimbursement under this chapter only for additional storage costs incurred after notifying the bureau of the removal of the abandoned vehicle.
    (c) If the public agency or towing service obtains the name and address of the person who owns or holds a lien on a vehicle under subsection (a)(2), within seventy-two (72) hours after obtaining the name and address, the public agency or towing service shall, by

certified mail, notify the person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle of the:
        (1) name;
        (2) address; and
        (3) telephone number;
of the public agency or towing service. Notwithstanding section 4 of this chapter and subsection (b)(2), a public agency or towing service that fails to notify a person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle as set forth in this subsection may not collect additional storage costs incurred after the date of receipt of the name and address obtained under subsection (a)(2).
    (d) A towing service may not collect reimbursement under both subsections (b) and (c) for storage costs incurred during a particular period for one (1) vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.66-1992, SEC.6; P.L.78-2003, SEC.1; P.L.104-2005, SEC.7; P.L.191-2007, SEC.14.

IC 9-22-1-20
Repealed
     (Repealed by P.L.191-2007, SEC.21.)

IC 9-22-1-21
Means of vehicle identification not available; disposal without notice
     Sec. 21. If a vehicle or parts are in such a condition that vehicle identification numbers or other means of identification are not available to determine the person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle, the vehicle may be disposed of without notice.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10.

IC 9-22-1-22
Repealed
     (Repealed by P.L.191-2007, SEC.21.)

IC 9-22-1-23
Public sale by city, town, or county; notice
     Sec. 23. (a) This section applies to a city, town, or county.
    (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), if the person who owns or holds a lien upon a vehicle does not appear within twenty (20) days after the mailing of a notice under section 19 of this chapter, the unit may sell the vehicle or parts by either of the following methods:
        (1) The unit may sell the vehicle or parts to the highest bidder at a public sale. Notice of the sale shall be given under IC 5-3-1, except that only one (1) newspaper insertion one (1) week before the public sale is required.
        (2) The unit may sell the vehicle or part as unclaimed property under IC 36-1-11. The twenty (20) day period for the property to remain unclaimed is sufficient for a sale under this subdivision.
    (c) This subsection applies to a consolidated city or county

containing a consolidated city. If the person who owns or holds a lien upon a vehicle does not appear within fifteen (15) days after the mailing of a notice under section 19 of this chapter, the unit may sell the vehicle or parts by either of the following methods:
        (1) The unit may sell the vehicle or parts to the highest bidder at a public sale. Notice of the sale shall be given under IC 5-3-1, except that only one (1) newspaper insertion one (1) week before the public sale is required.
        (2) The unit may sell the vehicle or part as unclaimed property under IC 36-1-11. The fifteen (15) day period for the property to remain unclaimed is sufficient for a sale under this subdivision.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.92-1997, SEC.6; P.L.191-2007, SEC.15.

IC 9-22-1-24
Purchasers at public sales; bill of sale; fees; roadworthiness of vehicle
     Sec. 24. A person who purchases a vehicle under section 23 of this chapter shall be furnished a bill of sale for each abandoned vehicle sold by the public agency upon paying the fee for a bill of sale under IC 9-29-7. A person who purchases a vehicle under section 23 of this chapter must:
        (1) present evidence from a law enforcement agency that the vehicle purchased is roadworthy, if applicable; and
        (2) pay the appropriate title fee under IC 9-29-4;
to obtain a certificate of title under IC 9-17 for the vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.66-1992, SEC.7; P.L.191-2007, SEC.16.

IC 9-22-1-25
Payment of removal, storage, and disposition costs; cost limits
     Sec. 25. The costs for removal and storage of an abandoned vehicle or parts not claimed by the person who owns or holds a lien on a vehicle shall be paid from the abandoned vehicle account established under section 30 of this chapter. The charge payable by the person who owns or holds a lien on a vehicle for towing, storing, or removing an abandoned vehicle or parts may not exceed the limits established by ordinance adopted under section 30 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10.

IC 9-22-1-26
Sale proceeds credited against removal, storage, and disposition costs
     Sec. 26. The proceeds of sale of an abandoned vehicle or parts under section 23 of this chapter shall be credited against the costs of the removal, storage, and disposal of the vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.191-2007, SEC.17.
IC 9-22-1-27
Sales by city, county, or town; deposit of proceeds; payment of public agency costs; appropriations
     Sec. 27. (a) This section applies to sales of abandoned vehicles or parts by a city, county, or town.
    (b) The proceeds from the sale of abandoned vehicles or parts, including:
        (1) charges for bills of sale; and
        (2) money received from persons who own or hold liens on vehicles for the cost of removal or storage of vehicles;
shall be deposited in the city's, county's, or town's abandoned vehicle fund by the fiscal officer of the city, county, or town.
    (c) The costs incurred by a public agency in administering this chapter shall be paid from the abandoned vehicle fund.
    (d) The fiscal body shall annually appropriate sufficient money to the fund to carry out this chapter. Money remaining in the fund at the end of a year remains in the fund and does not revert to the general fund.
    (e) Notwithstanding subsection (d), the fiscal body of a consolidated city may transfer money from the fund.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.85-1995, SEC.39; P.L.191-2007, SEC.18.

IC 9-22-1-28
Repealed
     (Repealed by P.L.191-2007, SEC.21.)

IC 9-22-1-29
Repealed
     (Repealed by P.L.191-2007, SEC.21.)

IC 9-22-1-30
Fiscal body procedures established by ordinance; abandoned vehicle fund
     Sec. 30. (a) The fiscal body shall, by ordinance, establish procedures to carry out this chapter, including the following:
        (1) The charges allowed for towing and storage of abandoned vehicles, which shall be filed with the bureau.
        (2) The means of disposition of vehicles.
    (b) The fiscal body shall establish an abandoned vehicle fund for the purposes of this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10.

IC 9-22-1-31
Public agencies; personnel, property, and towing contracts; fiscal body ordinances
     Sec. 31. To facilitate the removal of abandoned vehicles or parts, a public agency may:
        (1) employ personnel;
        (2) acquire equipment, property, and facilities; and         (3) enter into towing contracts;
for the removal, storage, and disposition of abandoned vehicles and parts. The fiscal body may, by ordinance, establish procedures to carry out this section.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10.

IC 9-22-1-32
Liability for loss or damage to vehicle or vehicle parts
     Sec. 32. The following are not liable for loss or damage to a vehicle or parts occurring during the removal or storage of a vehicle or parts under this chapter:
        (1) A person who owns, leases, or occupies property from which an abandoned vehicle or its contents or parts are removed.
        (2) A public agency.
        (3) A towing service.
        (4) An automobile scrapyard.
        (5) A storage yard.
        (6) An agent of a person or entity listed in subdivisions (1) through (5).
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.104-2005, SEC.8; P.L.54-2009, SEC.9.