(a) 
A police officer is authorized to remove or cause the removal of a vehicle from a street, alley, right-of-way or other public place in the corporate city limits when:
(1) 
The vehicle is in an accident and the vehicle’s owner or operator fails to show evidence of financial responsibility as required by section 601.053 of the Texas Transportation Code, as amended;
(2) 
The vehicle is stopped by a police officer for an alleged violation of a city or state traffic law or other law applicable to the operation of a vehicle on the roadway and the vehicle’s operator fails to produce a valid Texas driver’s license (and police are unable to verify through the department of public safety that the person has a valid driver’s license) and the vehicle operator fails to show proof of financial responsibility as required under section 601.053 of the Texas Transportation Code, as amended; or
(3) 
The vehicle is stopped by a police officer for an alleged violation of a city or state traffic law or other law applicable to the operation of a vehicle on the roadway and the vehicle’s operator fails to show evidence of financial responsibility under section 601.053 of the Texas Transportation Code and the vehicle operator has one (1) or more convictions in the last twenty-four (24) months for failure to maintain financial responsibility while operating a motor vehicle in this state.
(b) 
Nothing in this section shall prevent a city police officer from issuing a criminal citation to a person for violating chapter 601 of the Texas Transportation Code in addition to the towing and impoundment procedures listed above.
(Ordinance 2011-050, sec. 2, adopted 10/24/11; 1988 Code, sec. 31-135)
(a) 
When a person’s vehicle must be towed and impounded in accordance with section 11.06.001, a police officer shall call a wrecker service licensed by the state and registered with the city to remove the vehicle from the street or public right-of-way to a licensed vehicle storage facility.
(b) 
All towing, storage and administration fees shall be paid before such vehicle or other property is released from the vehicle storage facility.
(c) 
Payment of the fees charged under this section shall not excuse the owner or operator of the impounded vehicle or other property from any other charge of violating any city ordinance or state law.
(Ordinance 2011-050, sec. 2, adopted 10/24/11; 1988 Code, sec. 31-136)
(a) 
After a motor vehicle or other property is impounded, the wrecker service company shall send notice, not later than the tenth (10th) day after the date of impoundment, by certified mail, to the last-known registered owner of the motor vehicle or other property and all lienholders recorded under chapter 501, Texas Transportation Code, as amended, that the vehicle or other property has been towed and impounded.
(b) 
The notice under subsection (a) must:
(1) 
Specify the year, make, model and identification number of the impounded motor vehicle or other property, if applicable;
(2) 
Give the location of the facility where the motor vehicle or other property is being held;
(3) 
Inform the owner and any lienholders of the right to claim the motor vehicle or other property not later than the thirtieth day after the date of the notice upon payment of all towing, storage and administration fees; and
(4) 
State that the failure of the owner or lienholders to exercise their right to claim the vehicle or other property within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner and all lienholders of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle or other property and their consent to the sale of the vehicle or other property at a public auction.
(c) 
If the identity of the last-registered owner cannot be determined, or if the registration contains no address for the owner, or if it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identity and addresses of all lienholders, notice by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the vehicle or other property was impounded shall be sufficient to meet all requirements of notice pursuant to this section.
(d) 
Notice by publication under subsection (c):
(1) 
May contain multiple listings of impounded vehicles or other property;
(2) 
Must be published within twenty (20) business days of date the vehicle was impounded; and
(3) 
Must contain the same contents required for notice under subsection (b).
(Ordinance 2011-050, sec. 2, adopted 10/24/11; 1988 Code, sec. 31-137)
To claim an impounded vehicle or other property, satisfactory evidence of ownership or right of possession must be presented to the vehicle storage facility where the vehicle is located.
(Ordinance 2011-050, sec. 2, adopted 10/24/11; Ordinance 2017-004, sec. 2, adopted 1/9/17; 1988 Code, sec. 31-138)
(a) 
If an impounded motor vehicle or other property is not claimed as provided for in sections 11.06.003 and 11.06.004, the wrecker service company may sell the motor vehicle or other property at a public auction in accordance with state law.
(b) 
Notice of the time and place of the public auction and a descriptive list of the motor vehicles or other property to be offered for sale shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the city no less than ten (10) days prior to the date of auction in accordance with state law.
(c) 
The purchaser of the motor vehicle or other property shall take title free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership, shall receive a sales receipt from the wrecker service company, and shall be entitled to register the purchased vehicle or other property and receive a certificate of title, if applicable.
(d) 
The wrecker service company is entitled to reimbursement from the proceeds of the sale of a motor vehicle or other property for the cost of the auction, towing, storage, notice and publication fees.
(e) 
Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale shall be held by the wrecker service company for the owner or lienholder for ninety (90) days.
(f) 
After the period provided by subsection (e), proceeds unclaimed by the owner or lienholder shall be deposited in an account that may be used by the wrecker service company for the payment of future towing, storage, notice, auction and publication fees resulting from impoundment, if the proceeds from the sale of the other items are insufficient to meet those fees.
(Ordinance 2011-050, sec. 2, adopted 10/24/11; 1988 Code, sec. 31-139)