§ 12.5-124. Authority of police regarding the towing of vehicles.

Any law enforcement officer, or code enforcement officer, with competent jurisdiction and appropriate authority may have a vehicle located within the unincorporated areas of Horry County removed under the following circumstances:

(1)

It has been abandoned or wrecked upon the public streets, roads or highways of Horry County, or upon any property owned by Horry County;

(2)

It has been parked in violation of any statute, law, regulation or ordinance of Horry County or the State of South Carolina;

(3)

It has been used or is being used in the commission of any criminal act under the laws of the State of South Carolina; or

(4)

It was under the control or operation of an individual who has subsequently been taken into custody.

An authorized law enforcement officer may have the appropriate communications center utilize the wrecker zone rotation list established by the provisions of this article and summon the appropriate wrecker service for the zone to remove a vehicle to the storage lot operated by such wrecker or towing service.

This section shall not apply where:

(1)

The county retains possession of the vehicle, such as where the vehicle is owned by the county or has been seized as evidence in a criminal investigation or civil forfeiture.

(2)

Authorized government agencies establish their own wrecker rotation list; provided, however, that said wrecker services utilized in the unincorporated areas of Horry County must possess a county business license. In addition, authorized government agencies will be responsible for their own fee schedules.

(Ord. No. 72-09, § 1, 11-3-09)