The City of Oak Ridge recently updated junked vehicle ordinances and has scheduled implementation in 2020.

There will be a grace period in January and February to inform residents of the ordinance changes, a press release said. Written warnings will be provided during the grace period—before violation notices are issued—until March 1, 2020. After that, written warnings will no longer be given prior to a violation notice, the press release said.

“The changes to this ordinance now provide greater clarity for property owners and city staff regarding what constitutes an unlawful vehicle,” the press release said. “Additionally, the changes will help reduce blighted conditions, improve quality of life in the neighborhoods, and enhance effective enforcement by city departments.”

Under the updated ordinance, vehicles declared as junked, abandoned, inoperable, or a public nuisance will be removed from public or private property if not addressed by the owner in an allotted amount of time, the press release said. Removal by the city, if necessary, will be at the owner’s expense, the release said.