According to Kansas legislators, support for a bill (S.B. 465) that would allow cities to enforce “nuisance abatement” procedures by notifying affected property owners by use of first-class mail instead of certified mail (with a return receipt) has been withdrawn. There will be no action on the bill this year. The Kansas jurisdiction behind the bill’s introduction has decided to withdraw its support until there is another method to notify property owners of enforcement action. Nuisance abatement laws are often used by cities to force removal of inoperable vehicles, including parts cars, stored on private property by car collectors.
These facts remain true:
- Certified mail with a signed receipt provides proof that a property owner has been properly alerted to a future enforcement action.
- Current Kansas law specifies that owners must remove items deemed “nuisances” from their properties within a period of ten days from the time of notification.
- Without actual and verified notification, owners could risk removal of valuable collector cars and parts, especially when they are not at home to receive a first class mailing.
On behalf of the SEMA Action Network, congratulations and thanks to all who participated in opposing this legislation.