Process for seizure.
Riverside Municipal Code § 9.30.060
in effect9.30.060 - Process for seizure.
A. Investigation of vehicle ownership interests. The Riverside Police Department shall make a prompt investigation as to any potential claimant to a nuisance vehicle that is subject to this chapter whose right, title, interest, or lien is of record in the Department of Motor Vehicles of this state or any other state or appropriate federal agency.
B. Notice of seizure.
1. At the time a nuisance vehicle is seized pursuant to this chapter by the Riverside Police Department, the seizing officer shall provide a notice of seizure to the person from whose possession the vehicle was seized.
2. Within two business days after impoundment, the Riverside Police Department shall send a notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the legal owner of the vehicle, at the address obtained from the department, informing the owner that the vehicle has been impounded. The notice shall also include notice of the opportunity for a post-storage hearing to determine the validity of the storage or to determine mitigating circumstances establishing that the vehicle should be released.
3. If the Riverside Police Department's investigation reveals any potential claimants, other than the legal owner of the vehicle whose right, title, interest or lien existed prior to the date of the commission of the act giving rise to the nuisance; then the Riverside Police Department shall send a notice of seizure to each such claimant within two working days following the date the vehicle was seized. Such notice shall be served by certified mail, returned receipt requested, at the claimant's address appearing on the records of the applicable state's Department of Motor Vehicles or appropriate federal agency.
4. The impounding agency shall be prohibited from charging for more than five days storage if it fails to notify the legal owner within two working days after the impoundment when the legal owner redeems the impounded vehicle. The impounding agency shall maintain a published telephone number that provides information 24 hours a day regarding the impoundment of vehicles and the rights of a legal owner and a registered owner to request a hearing.
5. The notice of seizure shall include the following:
a. The name, address, and telephone number of the agency providing the notice.
b. The location of the place of storage and description of the vehicle, that shall include, if available, the model, make, the manufacturer, the license plate number, and the mileage.
c. The authority and purpose for the removal of the vehicle.
d. A statement that, in order to receive a post-storage hearing, the owners, or their agents, shall request a hearing in person, writing, or by telephone within ten days of the date appearing on the notice.
C. Receipts.
1. Receipts for nuisance vehicles seized pursuant to this chapter shall be issued in accordance with Penal Code §1412. For the purposes of this chapter, neither Penal Code §1412 nor any provision of this chapter shall be construed as precluding the delivery of a completed Vehicle Report (CHP 180 Form) as the receipt required by this section.
D. Towing and storage. The Riverside Police Department shall make arrangements for the towing of a seized vehicle and its storage at a designated tow yard.
E. Seized vehicles as evidence. A nuisance vehicle seized pursuant to this chapter, where appropriate, may be held for evidence in any proceeding brought by the District Attorney.
(Ord. 7181 § 1, 2012; Ord. 6780 § 1, 2005, (part); Ord. 6648 § 1, 2003)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT9PESAMO_CH9.30SEIMNUVE_9.30.060PRSEFetched: 11/1/2026