39-22-22. Operators of motor vehicle display lots - Permit required - Fee - Records required - Penalty

39-22-22. Operators of motor vehicle display lots - Permit required - Fee - Records required - Penalty. 1. A person not licensed as a motor vehicle dealer may operate display lots on which the owner of a vehicle may display the vehicle for sale. The display lot must be located on property zoned or otherwise approved for this purpose by the appropriate zoning authority. The display lot operator must obtain an annual permit from the department to operate the lot. The annual fee for the permit is fifty dollars. 2. The display lot operator must provide the department with proof of a liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of three hundred thousand dollars. The display lot must have a prominent sign identifying the business and the telephone number of the business owner. The sign must be at least thirty-two square feet [2.97 square meters] in size, contain the name of the display lot operator in letters at least ten inches [25.4 centimeters] high, and be clearly visible from the street. 3. The display lot operator, before providing space to a vehicle owner, must verify that the person renting the space is the owner of the displayed vehicle and keep records for at least one year after the rental of a space verifying compliance with this requirement. A licensed motor vehicle dealer may not operate a display lot on property that is part of the licensed dealership. The department may inspect the records of the display lot operator related to any complaint made against the operator. 4. The department may assess a person violating this section a one hundred dollar fee for a first violation, a two hundred dollar fee for a second violation within two years of the first violation, or a fee of at least five hundred dollars but not more than two thousand dollars for a third or subsequent violation within five years of the first violation.