6.05.225 Manner of inspection.
The inspection of a lawfully impounded vehicle shall occur in the following manner:
A. An officer shall examine the exterior of the vehicle to determine if there is any readily apparent body damage.
B. An officer shall examine interior areas where personal property or dangerous items may reasonably be located. Interior areas shall include, but are not limited to:
1. The passenger compartment, including the center console, dashboard, glove box, door pockets, seat pockets, ash tray, sun visor and the areas behind and under the seats and floor mats;
2. An unlocked trunk;
3. An uncovered hatchback;
4. The open bed of a pickup truck; and
5. The area within any attached canopy, camper or car-top container openly accessible from either inside or outside of the vehicle.
C. An officer shall open and examine the following locked areas: glove box, trunk, center console, hatchback, canopy, camper, car-top container or similar area within or attached to a vehicle, if:
1. There is an openly accessible unlocking mechanism provided within the vehicle;
2. A key to the locked area will remain with the vehicle; or
3. A key to the locked area will be taken or withheld from the possession of an owner or occupant of the vehicle.
D. If the conditions set forth in subsection C of this section are not present, then the area shall remain locked and unopened.
E. The contents of a closed container found within a vehicle shall not be opened unless:
1. The officer reasonably believes that the closed container contains valuable or dangerous personal property;
2. An occupant of the vehicle wants to retain physical custody and control of the closed container; or
3. Opening the closed container is otherwise lawful.
F. Any objects found within an examined area or closed container that is opened for inspection pursuant to subsections B, C or E of this section, shall be scrutinized only to the extent necessary to complete an accurate inventory. [BC 6.05.225, added by Ordinance No. 3951, 2/26/96]