Yerington committee posts draft ordinance to limit junk, inoperative and unregistered vehicles

The Yerington Public Safety Committee on Jan. 15 posted for consideration a draft ordinance that would replace Title 4, Chapter 3 Section 3 of the Yerington Municipal Code to regulate "junk, abandoned, inoperative, and/or unregistered vehicles." The item was listed as Item 5 on the agenda as "For Possible Action" to recommend adoption by the Yerington City Council; the supplied transcript contains the full draft language but does not record a committee vote or final action.

Under the posted draft, the city would prohibit keeping any junk, inoperative or unregistered vehicle on streets, highways or other public property. On private property the draft would bar more than two junk and/or inoperative vehicles that do not qualify under enumerated exceptions, and no more than two unregistered vehicles on private parcels. The draft also prohibits placing a vehicle in a front yard on any surface that is not paved and would require vehicles not meeting the exceptions to be fully screened by a fence or enclosure to prevent ground-level public viewing.

The draft lists several exceptions: licensed automobile wreckers or salvage operators under NRS chapter 487; licensed dealers, manufacturers, distributors or rebuilders of vehicles on their private property; property used as farms, ranches, mines or licensed vehicle repair shops; and vehicles stored within a garage or accessory building or those under restoration that qualify for historic/antique registration under NRS 482.381.

For vehicles believed abandoned on public property the draft authorizes police or other authorized enforcement officials to attach a notice; if a vehicle is not removed within three days after the notice, the city may have it removed for storage or disposition. For vehicles on private property the draft permits towing if an owner fails to remove the vehicle following designated notice, and it assigns potential liability for removal costs to the owner, any secured parties and the property owner or responsible party where the vehicle is located.

The draft also authorizes immediate removal without notice where a vehicle is so dismantled or unidentifiable that it appears to be a health hazard, hazardous condition or dangerous condition to the public. The ordinance text posted specifies a presumption that a junk vehicle on public property for more than 72 hours or on private property for more than 30 days is abandoned or discarded. The draft treats refusal to remove prohibited vehicles as a misdemeanor and references a fine provision (up to $100 per day after the three-day warning period in one section of the posted text).

The agenda materials include statutory cross-references and notices required by Nevada law: the agenda references NRS 237 (business impact statement guidance), NRS 482.381 (antique vehicle registration definition), and the agenda certification cites compliance with NRS 241.020. Jerry Bryant, identified on the agenda materials as Interim City Manager, certified the agenda posting; the Yerington Police Department contact information and Chief of Police Shawn Clanton appear in the posted materials.

The posted packet includes the full ordinance language and supporting material; the agenda identifies Item 5 as "For Possible Action" to recommend adoption by the City Council but the supplied transcript does not record discussion outcomes, motions, or a vote. The committee’s next formal step on the ordinance — whether a recommendation to council, amendment, or referral back to staff — is not recorded in the materials provided.

The full draft ordinance and supporting material are available at City Hall (14 East Goldfield Ave.) and on the City of Yerington website; the agenda also sets instructions for submitting public comment to the City Clerk for inclusion prior to the meeting.