(1) No person shall leave unattended any motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or mobile home on any public highway or private or public property, for such time and under such circumstances as to cause the vehicle to reasonably appear to have been abandoned. Whenever any vehicle has been left unattended without the permission of the property owner more than 48 hours, the vehicle is deemed abandoned and constitutes a public nuisance.

(2) Any vehicle in violation of this section shall be impounded by the Sheriff until lawfully claimed or disposed of under subs. (5) or (6) except that if the Sheriff, or his duly authorized deputy, determines that the cost of towing and storage charges for the impoundment would exceed the value of the vehicle, the vehicle may be junked by the Sheriff prior to expiration of the impoundment period upon his determination that the vehicle is not wanted for evidence or other reason.

(3) Any Sheriff’s deputy who discovers any motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, or mobile home on any public highway or private or public property which has been abandoned shall cause the vehicle to be removed to a suitable place of impoundment designated by the Sheriff.

(4) Any abandoned vehicle which is determined by the Sheriff, or his duly authorized deputy, to have a value in excess of $100 shall be retained in storage for a period of 14 days after certified mail notice has been sent to the owner and lien holders of record to permit reclamation of the vehicle after payment of accrued charges. Thereafter, the Sheriff shall dispose of the vehicle by sale at public action after publication in the official newspaper of a Class 1 notice under Ch. 985, Wis. Stats., of the time and place of such sale and a description of the vehicle to be sold. The sale shall be conducted in the same manner as an execution sale of personal property.

(5) Any abandoned vehicle which is determined by the Sheriff, or his duly authorized deputy, to have a value less than $100 may be disposed of by direct sale to a licensed salvage dealer upon determination that the vehicle is not reported stolen.

(6) Within 5 days after the sale or disposal of a vehicle as provided in subs. (4) or (5), the Sheriff shall advise the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles of the sale or disposition thereof. [Code § 7.04.]