Distribution of Sale Proceeds
San Diego Municipal Code § 52.5320
in effect§52.5320 Distribution of Sale Proceeds
The proceeds of a sale of a forfeited vehicle shall be disposed of in the following priority:
(a) To satisfy the towing and storage costs following impoundment, the costs of providing notice pursuant to Sections 52.5306 and 52.5307, the costs of sale, and the unfunded costs of judicial proceedings, if any; then,
(b) Upon satisfactory proof to the Chief of Police, to the legal owner in an amount to satisfy the indebtedness owed to the legal owner remaining as of the date of sale, including accrued interest or finance charges and delinquency charges, providing that the principal indebtedness was incurred prior to the date of impoundment; then,
(c) To the holder of any subordinate lien or encumbrance on the vehicle, other than a registered or legal owner, to satisfy any indebtedness so secured if written notification of demand is received before distribution of the proceeds is completed. The holder of a subordinate lien or encumbrance, if requested, shall furnish reasonable proof of its interest and, unless it does so upon request, is not entitled to distribution pursuant to Section 52.5320(c); then,
(d) To any other person, other than a registered or legal owner, who can reasonably establish an interest in the vehicle, including a community property interest, to the extent of his or her provable interest, if written notification is received before distribution of the proceeds is completed; then,
(e) Of the remaining proceeds, 50 percent shall be transferred to the San Diego Police Department and 50 percent to the City Attorney via the City Treasurer.
(“Disposition of Sale Proceeds” added 4–21–2003 by Ordinance O–19167 N.S.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter05/Ch05Art02Division53.pdf#page=8Fetched: 10/28/2026