Source: https://www.ecode360.com/26792847
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 17:59:09+00:00

Document:
§ 15.3 Authority to erect signs regulating parking and traffic.
§ 15.3.2 Parking and truck restrictions.
§ 15.3.2(A) Off-street parking limited to driveways.
§ 15.3.3 Parking of commercial or recreational vehicles, trailers, and boats, with or without trailers, on streets prohibited without permit.
§ 15.7 Towing and impounding, right to hearing.
§ 15.8 Delinquent vehicles with multiple violations; use of vehicle immobilization device or towing; notice procedures.
§ 15.9 Refund of charges upon not guilty or not liable verdict in cases involving repeat offenses.
§ 15.10 Interference with immobilization or impoundment; responsibility of owner.
§ 15.11 Obstructions to vision.
§ 15.14 Police Department to collect fines and penalties.
§ 15.15 Release of impounded vehicles.
§ 15.16 Sale of unclaimed vehicles.
Section 15.3 Authority to erect signs regulating parking and traffic.
Section 15.3.2 Parking and truck restrictions.
Section 15.3.2(A) Off-street parking limited to driveways.
Section 15.3.3 Parking of commercial or recreational vehicles, trailers, and boats, with or without trailers, on streets prohibited without permit.
Section 15.7 Towing and impounding, right to hearing.
Section 15.8 Delinquent vehicles with multiple violations; use of vehicle immobilization device or towing; notice procedures.
Section 15.9 Refund of charges upon not guilty or not liable verdict in cases involving repeat offenses.
Section 15.10 Interference with immobilization or impoundment; responsibility of owner.
Section 15.11 Obstructions to vision.
Section 15.14 Police Department to collect fines and penalties.
Section 15.15 Release of impounded vehicles.
Section 15.16 Sale of unclaimed vehicles.
The provisions of this Article are intended to be in addition to and supplementary to the current provisions of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended, and in accordance with authority specifically granted by said Article of the State Code.
Is displaying registration plates of another vehicle.
Any motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer that has otherwise been expressly presumed or declared to be an abandoned vehicle by any other provision of this Article.
Any motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer that is partially dismantled, wrecked or any other junked motor vehicle shall be presumed to have been or be abandoned.
MOTOR VEHICLE — A vehicle as defined in Section 11-135 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended.
MOVING VIOLATION — Except for speed monitoring system violations as defined in Section 15.6 of this Article and State law, a moving violation is any violation of this Article committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is being operated or is in motion at the time of the infraction, or as otherwise defined pursuant to § 11-136.1 of the Transportation Article of the Maryland Annotated Code and any regulations adopted by the State Highway Administration for the purpose of assessing points under § 16-402 of the Maryland Transportation Article.
NONMOVING VIOLATION — A nonmoving violation is a violation that is committed based upon the violation of this Article involving a vehicle that is parked, stopped or standing, as opposed to a moving violation described above.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated former Subsections D through G as Subsections F through I, respectively.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE — A vehicle originally sold to a consumer by a manufacturer or dealer for recreational purposes which are self-propelled or capable of being towed by a motor vehicle or any vehicle which provides facilities for temporary camping or sleeping or both, including a unit designed to be carried by an open pickup truck. The term "recreational vehicle" includes camping trailer, travel trailer, camper, motor home, truck camper, boat, boat trailer, and water craft. Excluded from this definition are pickup trucks with caps over the bed.
UNREGISTERED TRAILER — Any trailer of any type or size designed for use upon a street, road or highway which, is not registered with the appropriate motor vehicle agency of the State of Maryland or another state, and displaying evidence of such current registration.
VEHICLE — Any device as defined in Section 11-176 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended.
Except when stated otherwise, whenever any words and phrases used herein are not defined in this Article but are defined in the state laws regulating the operation of vehicles, any such definition therein shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used in this Article.
Whenever in the judgment of the Mayor of the Town of Forest Heights, it is necessary for the safety and control of vehicle or pedestrian traffic or for the regulation of the use of parking areas, the Mayor is authorized to erect or cause to be erected "Stop," "No Parking," "Speed Limit," "One Way," or any other traffic control devices designed to control, regulate, warn or guide traffic or limit parking on public streets, highways, or other areas in the Town, provided that no such signs or devices shall be erected or posted for other than temporary and emergency purposes for a period not to exceed 60 days duration without the final approval of the Town Council.
Such final approval as stated in Subsection A shall be made by resolution of the Council, and a statement of said final decision to erect or post a specific traffic control device shall be placed in the list described in Subsection D.
It shall be the duty of all persons to observe such signs or devices, and, any person failing to observe any such sign or device shall be in violation of this Article.
A list and description of such posted signs or devices shall be available for public inspection at the office of the Forest Heights Police Department.
All traffic control signs, signals, and devices shall conform to the specifications approved by the State Highway Administration and published in the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Unless otherwise permitted by state or county law, no such signs or traffic control devices shall be erected or posted on a County or State highway without the consent of the appropriate State or County authority having possession, title or responsibility for the maintenance of said highway.
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle on private property without the permission of the owner, tenant, occupant or authorized agent. An affidavit of the owner, tenant, occupant or authorized agent denying or revoking any such permission or attesting to the proper posting of the property and the placement of "no tresspasing" or "no parking" signage shall be prima facie evidence that the subject vehicle was parked without proper permission.
Upon the highways, roads, streets or other public property, no person shall park any unregistered motor vehicle or unregistered trailer or boat, with or without a trailer, at any time. Any such vehicle shall be presumed to be abandoned and may be impounded pursuant to Section 15.7.
Upon any parking space or zone, including the adjacent access aisle(s), on public or private property designated as parking reserved for the physically handicapped with the proper signs posted in conformance with the most recent edition of the State of Maryland Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, unless said vehicle displays a special handicapped registration plate or permit issued by the State.
On any public property which lies between the curbline and the private property line or on any public easement abutting the paved travelway, no person shall park a vehicle including a motorcycle, except with permission of the Forest Heights Police Chief or his designee.
Within the front yard of any residential lot extending from the building to the curbline no motor vehicle of any type or boat, motor home, dune buggie, dirt bike, motor cycle, or van shall be parked on an unpaved area thereon.
Keeping an inoperable, dismantled or wrecked vehicle such that, one or more major mechanical components including but not limited to the engine, transmission, drive train, or wheels, does not allow for proper operation of the vehicle upon the streets and highways, unless the vehicle is kept in an enclosed building or no more than one such vehicle is completely covered with a tarpaulin, except that registration plates are kept exposed by or through a portion of the tarpaulin.
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection U(4), which prohibited parking on unpaved areas of residential lots of one acre or less in size, was repealed 11-15-2017 by Ord. No. 04-17. See now Subsection V(4).
A potential fire hazard as determined by the fire department, a Police Officer or a Code Enforcement Official.
No motor vehicle whatsoever shall be parked on an unpaved area of a residential lot that is one acre or less in size.
Next to a yellow or red painted curb.
In front of a curb ramp designed for the use of individuals with disabilities.
Parking on driveways and other surfaced parking areas is limited to the area and dimensions depicted on the county permit and any approved site plan for the subject property, and any Town of Forest Heights required permit. Unless the Prince George's County Code states otherwise, an additional paved or surfaced area not to exceed 500 square feet is allowed by the Town to be placed on a lot without a permit issued by the Town; however, that additional paved or surfaced area as permitted herein shall not be used for parking vehicles.
No person shall park any commercial vehicle, recreational vehicle or registered trailer including but not limited to a camper trailer, boat trailer, or boat, with or without a trailer, upon any highway, road, street, public right-of-way or other public property anywhere in the Town within any one year period (365 days) of time without first obtaining a temporary parking permit from the Forest Heights Police Department.
A temporary parking permit may be issued for a fifteen-day maximum period with one fifteen-day renewal. The temporary parking permit fee shall be $100 with a renewal fee of $50 and may by established from time to time by resolution of the Council.
No motor vehicle shall be operated upon any street, road or alley within the corporate limits of the Town, except Indian Head Highway, the Capital Beltway and Livingston Road, at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour under any circumstances or conditions, except for emergency vehicles as permitted under the provisions of the Maryland Transportation Article, and the Motor Vehicle laws of Maryland.
No motor vehicle shall be operated at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour in school or playground areas or zones designated and posted by the Town Council pursuant to Section 15.3 and State law.
In this section, the following words have the meanings indicated.
A holder of a special registration plate issued under Md. Code Ann., Transp. Art., Title 13, Subtitle 9, Part III.
DEPARTMENT — The Forest Heights Police Department.
ERRONEOUS VIOLATION — A potential violation submitted by a speed monitoring system contractor as defined in the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, § 21-809(a)(3).
Editor's Note: This ordinance also renumbered former Subsection (A)(3) through (5) as Subsection (A)(6) through (8), respectively.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR — A Town employee or representative designated by the Mayor and approved by the Town Council by motion entered into the journal to oversee the contract with the speed monitoring system contractor.
SCHOOL ZONE — A designated roadway segment with a posted speed limit of at least 20 miles per hour and located within up to a half-mile radius of a school for any of grades kindergarten through grade 12 where school-related activity occurs as further defined in the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, § 21-809(a)(7).
On at least one image or portion of tape, a clear and legible identification of the entire registration plate number of the motor vehicle.
SPEED-MONITORING SYSTEM — A device with one or more motor vehicle sensors producing recorded images of motor vehicles traveling at speeds at least 12 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.
SPEED-MONITORING SYSTEM OPERATOR — A representative of the Department or a designated person that operates a speed monitoring system.
The Mayor and Council, by resolution, following reasonable notice to the public and a public hearing, may establish a school zone on any road under the Town's jurisdiction or with permission of the county or State Highway Administration on any county or state road within 1/2 mile of a school and, for any school zone so established, shall set a maximum speed limit, as permitted by law, provided that the designation of such school zone and the maximum speed limit set for such zone shall not become effective until the Town installs signs designating the school zone and indicating the maximum speed limit applicable in the school zone located in the Town of Forest Heights.
The Town may install or erect traffic control devices in the designated school zone in addition to the signs required by Subsection (B)(1) and (3), including timed flashing warning lights and including a speed monitoring system as defined in Subsection (A) of this section.
For at least the first 15 calendar days after the signage is installed.
Ensure that each sign that designates a school zone is proximate to a sign that indicates that speed-monitoring systems are in use in the school zone, and is in accordance with the Manual for and the specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices adopted by the State Highway Administration.
A speed-monitoring system in a school zone may operate only Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
The Mayor, with the approval of the Council, shall designate an official or employee by resolution or ordinance to investigate and respond to questions or concerns about the speed monitoring system program.
The local designee or ombudsman shall review a citation generated by a speed monitoring system if the person who received the citation requests review before the deadline for contesting liability under this section.
If said designee determines that the citation is an erroneous violation, the designee shall void the citation.
If said designee determines that a person did not receive notice of a citation issued under this section due to an administrative error, the designee may resend the citation in accordance with Subsection (I) of this section or void the citation.
Should said designee take any action described under this subsection, he or she shall notify the speed monitoring system contractor and/or the motor vehicle administration of the action for the purpose of rescinding any administrative penalties or fees that may have been imposed under subsection.
The designee may not be employed by the speed monitoring system contractor or have been involved in any review of a speed monitoring system citation, other than a review of a citation under this Subsection (N) of this section.
On receipt of a written question or concern from a person. the local designee shall provide a written answer or response to the person within a reasonable time.
The designee or the Town Clerk shall make any written questions or concerns received under this subsection, and any subsequent written answers or responses, available for public inspection.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also renumbered former Subsections (E) through (G) as Subsections (F) through (H), respectively.
Complete training by a manufacturer of speed-monitoring systems in the procedures for setting up and operating the speed-monitoring system.
Fill out and sign a daily set-up log for a speed-monitoring system that states that the speed-monitoring system operator successfully performed or reviewed and evaluated the manufacturer-specified self-test of the speed-monitoring system prior to producing a recorded image.
The daily set-up log required by Subsection (F)(2) of this section shall be kept on file and shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a violation of this section.
A speed-monitoring system manufacturer shall issue a signed certificate to the speed-monitoring system operator on completion of the training, which certificate shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a violation of this section.
Unaffiliated with the manufacturer of the speed monitoring system.
The independent calibration laboratory shall issue a signed certificate of calibration after the annual calibration check, which shall be kept on file and shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a violation of this section.
Under the terms of said altered contract, the Town may cancel a contract with a contractor if the contractor violates the contract by submitting erroneous violations to the Department that exceed a threshold specified in the contract or violates the law in implementing the contract.
The designated program administrator shall participate in a training program concerning the oversight and administration of a local speed monitoring program administered by the Maryland Police Training Commission on or before December 31, 2014, and subsequently at least once every two years.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also renumbered former Subsections (H) through (O) as Subsections (J) through (Q), respectively.
Unless a driver of a motor vehicle received a citation from a police officer at the time of a violation, the owner or, in accordance with Subsection (M)(5)(a) of this section, the driver of a motor vehicle is subject to a civil penalty if the motor vehicle is recorded by a speed monitoring system while being operated at least 12 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.
Subject to the provisions of Subsection K(2) through (4) of this section, the Department shall mail or cause to be mailed to an owner liable under Subsection (J) of this section a citation, upon a form to be prescribed by the District Court of Maryland, that shall include the information required by of Md. Code. Ann., Transp. Art., § 21-809.
The Department may mail a warning notice instead of a citation to the owner liable under Subsection (J) of this section and, for a period of 30 days after the Town installs the first speed-monitoring system, the Department shall mail only a warning notice and may not issue a citation.
Except as provided in Subsection (M)(5) of this section, the Town may not mail a citation to a person who is not an owner.
Except as provided in Subsection (E) (omsbudsman) and Subsection (M)(5) of this section, a citation issued under this section shall be mailed no later than two weeks after the alleged violation if the vehicle is registered in this state, and 30 days after the alleged violation if the vehicle is registered in another state.
Elect to stand trial in the District Court for the alleged violation.
A certificate alleging that the violation of Subtitle 8 (Speed Restrictions) of Title 21 (Vehicles Laws - Rules of the Road) occurred and the requirements under the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, § 21-809(b) have been satisfied, sworn to, or affirmed by a duly authorized law enforcement officer employed by or under contract with the Town based on inspection of recorded images produced by a speed monitoring system, shall be evidence of the facts contained in the certificate and shall be admissible in a proceeding alleging a violation under said subtitle without the presence or testimony of the speed monitoring system operator.
If a person who received a citation under Subsection (K) of this section desires the speed monitoring system operator to be present and testify at trial, the person shall notify the court and the Town in writing no later than 20 days before trial.
Adjudication of liability shall be based on a preponderance of evidence.
Any other issues and evidence that the District Court deems pertinent.
To demonstrate that the motor vehicle or the registration plates were stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the violation, the owner shall submit proof that a police report regarding the stolen motor vehicle or registration plates was filed in a timely manner.
Includes any other corroborating evidence.
Should the Police Department have cause or reason to believe that the operator was an employee or agent acting within the owner’s scope of employment or agency, and was acting in furtherance of the owner’s interests at the time of the violation, the Department may file a motion using the Court’s form (i.e., Form DC 2) opposing the sworn request letter and stating the reasons why such request should be denied or otherwise stating why liability should be jointly shared by the operator and the owner. Said motion shall be reviewed by the Town Attorney, may be supported by affidavit and include any other corroborating evidence.
Cases of cited person not operating vehicle.
If the District Court finds that the person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation or receives evidence under Subsection (M)(3) of this section identifying the person driving the vehicle at the time of the violation thereby transferring liability to the operator, the Clerk of the Court shall provide to the Department a copy of any evidence substantiating who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
On receipt of substantiating evidence from the District Court under Subsection (M)(1) of this section pursuant to the state law the Department may issue a citation as provided in Subsection (K) of this section to the person who the evidence indicates was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
A citation issued under Subsection (M)(5)(b) of this section shall be mailed no later than two weeks after receipt of the evidence from the District Court.
May suspend the registration of the motor vehicle cited for the violation.
May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance coverage.
Pursuant to state law and this section, the Department or its designee shall administer and process civil citations issued under this section and state law in coordination with the District Court.
An owner for whom the Maryland Motor Vehicle administration refuses to register, or reregister a vehicle, or who receives a suspended registration pursuant to Subsection (N) of this section but who subsequently pays the required fines, fees and penalties shall further remit to the Town a release fee of $35 in addition to any release fees that may be collected by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration prior to release of said restriction. The release fee established by this subsection may be modified from time to time by resolution of the Mayor and Council.
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection P, which immediately followed this subsection and provided for a returned check fee, was repealed 3-1-2010 by Em. Ord. No. 03-10. For current provisions, see Section 15.9(E).
By October 31 of each year, the Mayor with the assistance of the Treasurer and the Chief of Police shall submit to the Maryland Police Training Commission a report for the previous fiscal year on the Town's speed monitoring system program including information required in accordance with state law.
As expressly required by any other provision of this Article or as defined in Subsection 15.2.A, defining an abandoned vehicle.
Notice of impoundment. Whenever a vehicle has been towed and impounded, the Forest Heights Police Department shall notify the registered owner of any action taken and substantially follow the procedures stated in this Article and particularly as found in Section 15.8, Subsection (G) (Procedures upon immobilizing and/or towing vehicles), Paragraph (3) et seq. and those provisions regarding the storage and disposal of abandoned vehicles found in Subtitle 2 of Title 25 of the Transportation Article of the State Code.
Hearings for refunds of towing and impoundment charges. An owner of a vehicle aggrieved by any action authorized or described by this Section shall be entitled to an informal hearing before the Mayor or a hearing officer appointed by the Mayor with the consent of Council. Should the Mayor find that the Forest Heights Police Department mistakenly or otherwise wrongfully authorized the towing, impoundment, or storage of a vehicle, the Town shall reimburse the owner of the vehicle for all improper or rescinded towing and storage costs incurred by the owner as a result of the mistaken or wrongful action. The Mayor shall make the final decision of the Town based on recommendations from the hearing officer, if so appointed to hear such case. An appeal of the Mayor's decision shall be provided to the Maryland Tax Court as permitted by statute and the rules of procedure governing said tax court. This subsection and the administrative remedies described herein shall only apply to disputes and requests for refunds regarding towing, and impounding fees collected by the Town or its agent when enforcing this Section, and in those cases where Subsection D below does not apply.
Mandatory refund of towing and impoundment charges upon not-guilty verdict or not liable finding. Should any final adjudication by the District Court of Maryland result in a not guilty verdict or its equivalent entered upon any of the violations resulting in impoundment under this Section, all charges or fees advanced as having accrued upon the vehicle or paid by virtue of its impoundment as a result of a previously alleged and cited violation or violations shall be returned to the person who advanced or paid such sums upon presentation of the official receipt issued at the time said vehicle was released.
Costs authorized. The costs of the removal, towing, impoundment, immobilization and storage of vehicles or any related service may include the amounts charged by the Town or any independent contractor engaged by the Town for such services as well as the daily storage charges as established by resolution of the Council.
Vehicles found legally parked having multiple violations. Any unattended vehicle found parked upon any public street, public property or public rights-of-way within the Town having multiple violations as stated herein shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be impounded or immobilized by a vehicle immobilization device, commonly referred to as a "boot," by any agent so authorized, if the Town has in its files information that the vehicle has three or more citations for any illegal parking, standing, stopping, or speed-monitoring system violations issued pursuant to this Article, or any combination thereof totaling three such violations, for which the appropriate fine or amounts due have not been paid within the prescribed time, or if three or more citations have been issued for the same violation of this Article within 30 consecutive days. A police officer may choose to use an immobilization device or the vehicle, by either private or governmental equipment, may be impounded in lieu of immobilization at the sole cost and expense of the habitual violator.
The notice shall advise that a person may challenge the validity of the notice of eligibility for immobilization or towing as set forth in Subsection (C) of this Section.
The registered owner has not accumulated three or more violation complaints or citations which are unpaid, not adjudicated, or for which no appearance has been filed.
Should no determination or change be made that eligibility of the motor vehicle for immobilization or towing is invalid after sending such notice, the State registration number of said vehicle shall remain on the immobilization list, and immobilization or towing may proceed pursuant to this Section. Failure of the Police Department to provide written notice of eligibility for immobilization or towing pursuant to Subsection (B) of this Section shall not be a prerequisite to further action or otherwise prevent an immobilization or towing under this Section.
Payments necessary to release immobilized vehicle. A vehicle immobilization device (i.e., "boot") shall be removed from a vehicle or an impound release form issued only upon payment of the appropriate fine for all delinquent (i.e., past due) nonmoving, parking, or speed camera citations or any combination thereof which the subject vehicle has received, along with any late or other fees which have attached or been added to those violations in accordance with this Article; and, if applicable, upon payment of an additional boot fee of $100 to defray the Town's cost of installing, removing and maintaining the boot.
Town not liable for boot removal damages. The Town shall not be liable for any damage to a motor vehicle due to the actions of the owner or any other unauthorized person attempting to remove the boot device or operate such motor vehicle with such device attached.
The said mailed notice shall I) state that the vehicle has been impounded; II) describe the year, make, model and vehicle identification number of the vehicle; III) give the location of the facility where the vehicle is held; IV) inform the owner of his right to reclaim the vehicle no later than three weeks after the date of the notice, upon payment of all fines, penalties and towing, preservation and storage charges resulting from impounding the vehicle; V) state that the failure of the owner to exercise this right in the time provided is a waiver by the owner of all his rights, title and interest in the vehicle, and a consent to the sale of the vehicle at public auction or as otherwise permitted by law.
Right to probable cause hearing. Within five days from the initial date of the immobilization or towing, the owner may request an informal hearing before the Chief of Police or the Mayor's designee to determine whether probable cause exists to continue to immobilize, or tow and impound the vehicle. Said right to a hearing shall be deemed to have been waived five days from the initial date of the immobilization or towing.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Section 15.8, Obstructions to vision. For current provisions, see Section 15.11.
Notwithstanding any ruling of the Chief of Police or Mayor's designee with respect to a showing of probable cause for the initial immobilization or towing of the vehicle, if following trial in the District Court of Maryland or other judicial tribunal, a not guilty verdict or its equivalent is entered upon any of the parking or speed camera violations charged against the vehicle immobilized or towed thereby reducing the number of delinquent multiple violations to less than the requisite three such violations as required herein to serve as the proper basis for such action pursuant to this Article, all charges or fees advanced as having accrued upon the vehicle or paid by virtue of its immobilization or impoundment as a result of the previously alleged requisite number of multiple parking or speed camera violations, shall be returned to the person who advanced or paid such sums upon presentation of the official receipt issued at the time said vehicle was released.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Section 15.9, Penalties. For current provisions, see Section 15.13.
It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with or remove or attempt to remove an immobilization device from a vehicle that has been booted without authorization from the Forest Heights Police Department.
It shall be unlawful for any person other than the owner or operator or a person authorized by either of them to remove any warning notice regarding immobilization or impoundment.
Any violation of any subsection of this Section hereinabove is declared to be a municipal infraction. The penalty for violation shall be a fine of $500 for each offense.
The registered owner of a vehicle having against it three or more summonses or citations shall be presumed to be the owner at the time the summonses or citations were in fact issued and shall be severally responsible for the offenses and the immobilization or impoundment, except where the use of the vehicle was secured by the operator without the owner's consent.
No property owner within the Town shall be permitted to create a traffic hazard by allowing to exist any trees, bushes, vines, weeds, undergrowth, loose earth or other obstruction that hinders the vision of operators of vehicles traveling upon any public street, road or highway of the Town.
Upon finding such a condition, the Town Council or Police Department shall serve upon the owner, agent or tenant or any other person having supervision over such property, a written notice, describing the premises whereon such obstruction exists, and the particulars in which the vision of operators of vehicles is obstructed and the steps necessary to correct such conditions.
At such time the Town Council or the Chief of Police shall issue the responsible party an order directing that corrective steps be taken within a stated period of time or such condition shall be considered in violation of this Article.
Funeral processions shall have the right-of-way over all traffic except police and fire vehicles and ambulances.
No person shall drive or ride any vehicle or animal across the line of a funeral procession, provided that a funeral procession, in order to be recognized as such, must have displayed on each vehicle two illuminated headlights or other identifying method.
Each operator in a funeral or other procession shall drive as near to the right-hand edge of the street as practicable and shall follow the vehicle ahead as safe and as close as is practicable.
Funeral processions shall further comply with § 21-207 of the Transportation Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, as amended.
Moving violations. All moving violations, including those by any individual violating Section 15.5 (speed prohibited) or Section 15.3.2(N) (Truck restrictions) of this Ordinance Code, shall be cited using the Maryland Uniform Complaint and Citation Form, and upon conviction, shall be fined and/or penalized in accordance with the schedule of fines and penalties determined by the State and set out in a document prepared by the Chief Administrative Judge of the District Court of Maryland and referred to as the "Schedule of Preset Fines and/or Penalty Deposits," as such document (Form #DC-CR-090) may be amended from time to time.
Unless otherwise stated in this Article, all nonmoving violations shall be deemed misdemeanors, and shall, unless stated otherwise, subject the violator to a fine of $75 which, if not paid within 20 days of the date of violation of notice, shall double to a fine of $150.
The fine for violation of Section 15.3.2H with respect to parking within 15 feet of a fireplug shall be $150 and, if not paid within 20 days, shall double to a fine of $300.
The fine for a violation of Section 15.3.2R, illegally parking in a designated handicapped parking space or zone, shall be $300 and, if not paid within 20 days, shall double to a fine of $600.
The fine for a violation of Section 15.3.2K with respect to seventy-two-hour parking shall be $100 which, if not paid within 20 days of the date of violation of notice, shall double to a fine of $200.
The fine for a violation of Section 15.3.2U with respect to parking of inoperable or other specifically proscribed vehicles shall be $250 for each offense which, if not paid within 20 days of the date of violation of notice, shall double to a fine of $500.
Violations of Section 15.3.2M, parking of commercial vehicles on any road or street in Forest Heights shall be $100 which, if not paid within 20 days of the date of violation of notice, shall double to a fine of $200.
For the purposes of this Article, each day a violation goes uncorrected shall constitute a separate offense, except for violations resulting due to multiple offenses.
Civil violations. A violation of Section 15.6 (Speed-monitoring systems) shall be deemed a civil infraction pursuant to § 21-809 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and the penalty shall be a fine of $40.
Other violations. A violation of Subsection V of Section 15.3.2 (Parking and truck restrictions) shall be deemed a municipal infraction, and the penalty shall be a fine of $250. If not paid within 20 days of the date of violation of notice, the fine shall double to a fine of $500.
Where applicable, the procedures for prosecuting violations of this Article shall be further governed by the provisions of the Maryland Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Returned check fee. Any person who pays any penalty assessed under this Article shall further pay a returned check fee of $35 to the Town should the check be returned unpaid for any reason by the payor's bank.
Flagging fee. The Chief of Police shall, in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the State Motor Vehicle Administration and State law, give or cause to be given notice to the Administration and the respective owners of all vehicles registered by the State and the subject of any outstanding and past due parking or speed-monitoring system violations of this Article thereby requesting that the Administration refuse registration or transfer of registration of the subject vehicle, until notified by the Town that the violation penalty has been satisfied. In such cases, the Chief of Police shall impose an additional cost or municipal administrative flagging fee of $40 for each registration or transfer to be withheld, suspended or denied, and the owner of the vehicle shall be liable or further subject to the payment of such costs, and all other fines, penalties, fees and charges that have accrued or have been assessed pursuant to this Article before notice is given to the Administration that the subject violation penalty has been satisfied and the registration is to be released.
Debt collection fee. Any fine or associated fees or costs permitted by this Article that remain uncollected from an owner or operator made civilly liable under this Article but not subject to a vehicle registration flagging request by the Town as would otherwise be authorized pursuant to § 26-305 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, after at least 30 days from the date the debt accrues and written notice is provided to the owner or operator, said debt owed to the Town may be referred to a collection agency or attorney for collection and reporting to a major credit bureau, in accordance with state and federal law. Said fee or cost for collection of the delinquent debt (i.e., fine, late fee, returned check fee, and/or flagging fee) as permitted by this subsection shall not exceed two times the past due amount or total sum indebted to the Town. The Town may alternatively or further elect to file a civil suit against the responsible party to recover the fine and associated fees.
Boot fee. In addition to any other authorized charges, a boot or immobilization fee of $100 shall be charged a vehicle owner who violates this Article or is otherwise responsible which results in immobilization as described in this Article to defray the Town's cost of installing, removing and maintaining the boot device.
Resolutions establishing fines, charges and fees. The Town Council is hereby authorized to specifically establish, set, adopt, amend or change from time to time by formal resolution any fines, fees, allowed interest, or charges established by this Article or as otherwise permitted by state law.
The Chief of Police or Mayor's Designee is responsible for the collection of all fines and penalties assessed under this Article. The Police Clerk will furnish to the person paying said fines and penalties a receipt which shall be presented to the duty officer. Upon presentation of said receipt, the duty officer will sign a vehicle release form authorizing the release of the impounded vehicle.
Vehicles impounded pursuant to this Article will be released to their lawful owner, or person entitled to possession, upon a showing of adequate evidence of a right to its possession and upon the payment of all accrued fines, fees and costs for each outstanding unpaid citation or summons and, in addition thereto, the charges for booting, towing and storage. The release shall be signed by an authorized officer or agent.
Whenever any vehicle so impounded shall remain unclaimed by the owner or other person legally entitled to possession thereof for a period of 45 days from the date a notice to the owner was mailed, it shall be the duty of the Police Department to sell or dispose of such vehicle at a public auction or other authorized method, in accordance with the provisions of Title 25 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

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§ 15
 § 11
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 § 26