§ 25-201. Definitions

   (a) In general. -- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) Abandoned vehicle. -- "Abandoned vehicle" means any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer:

   (1) That is inoperable and left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours;

   (2) That has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours;

   (3) That has remained on private property for more than 48 hours without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property;

   (4) That has remained in a garage for more than 10 days after the garage keeper has given the owner of the vehicle notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, to remove the vehicle;

   (5) That has remained in a garage for more than 10 days after the period when, by contract, the vehicle was to remain in the garage;

   (6) That was left for more than 10 days in a garage by:

      (i) Someone other than its registered owner; or

      (ii) A person authorized to have possession of the vehicle under a contract of use, service, storage, or repair;

   (7) That has remained on public property for more than 48 hours and:

      (i) Is not displaying currently valid registration plates; or

      (ii) Is displaying registration plates of another vehicle;

   (8) That has been left unattended on any portion of a "controlled access highway" as defined in § 8-101(f) of this article for more than 24 hours;

   (9) That has been left unattended on any portion of a primary or secondary highway or controlled access highway, as defined in § 8-101 of this article, and is in violation of any of the provisions of § 22-408 of this article; or

   (10) That is not reclaimed as provided under § 27-111 of this article.

(c) Garage. -- "Garage" means any of the following, if operated for commercial purposes:

   (1) A parking place or establishment;

   (2) A vehicle storage facility; or

   (3) An establishment for the servicing, repair, or maintenance of vehicles.

(d) Lessor. --

   (1) "Lessor" means a person who regularly leases or offers to lease motor vehicles.

   (2) "Lessor" includes:

      (i) An assignee of leases; and

      (ii) A person who during any 12-month period offers to lease 5 or more motor vehicles or who is assigned 5 or more leases.

(e) Police department. -- "Police department" means:

   (1) The Department of State Police;

   (2) The police department of any political subdivision of this State;

   (3) In Baltimore City, the appropriate agency designated by the Board of Estimates;

   (4) The police forces of public colleges and universities;

   (5) In Prince George's County, if designated by the County Executive, the Prince George's County Department of Environmental Resources;

   (6) In any municipality in Prince George's County or Montgomery County, an appropriate agency or department designated by the governing body of the municipality; and

   (7) The police force of any State government agency.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 66 1/2, § 11-1002.2; 1977, ch. 14, § 2; 1980, ch. 156; 1983, ch. 563; 1986, ch. 16; 1987, chs. 128, 149; 1988, ch. 226; 1990, ch. 307; 1991, ch. 82; 1994, ch. 165, § 3; ch. 166, § 3; 1995, ch. 3, § 2, 22; ch. 524, § 1, 2; 1997, ch. 261; 2002, ch. 19, § 1.