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abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state

derived_fields listlengths 2 2	id stringlengths 4 20	notice_process stringclasses 9 values	regulatory_citation stringlengths 5 55	source stringlengths 38 110	source_quote stringlengths 93 1.58k	state stringlengths 4 20	url stringlengths 87 103	verified_fields listlengths 1 3	private_property_threshold stringlengths 18 383 ⌀	also_reported listlengths 1 3 ⌀	disagreements listlengths 0 0 ⌀	time_to_sale_or_disposal stringlengths 7 207 ⌀
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	alabama	unclaimed as provided in Section 32-8-84 for not less than 30 calendar days from the date the notice was sent to the owner and lienholder of record	Ala. Code § 32-13-1	https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-32/chapter-13/section-32-13-1/	(1) ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE. A motor vehicle as defined in Section 32-8-2, that has been unclaimed as provided in Section 32-8-84 for not less than 30 calendar days from the date the notice was sent to the owner and lienholder of record, or if no owner or lienholder of record could be determined, has been unclaimed for...	Alabama	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/alabama/	[ "notice_process" ]	null	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	alaska	null	AS 28.11.020	https://codes.findlaw.com/ak/title-28-motor-vehicles/ak-st-sect-28-11-020.html	(a) A vehicle registered or titled as required under AS 28.10 that reasonably appears to have been left unattended, standing, parked upon or within 10 feet of the traveled portion of a highway or vehicular way or area in excess of 48 hours, or a vehicle registered or titled as required under AS 28.10 that reasonably ap...	Alaska	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/alaska/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	in excess of 24 hours	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	arizona	null	28-4801	https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/04801.htm	28-4801. Definitions In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Abandoned vehicle" means a vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is of a type subject to registration under this title whether lost, stolen, abandoned or otherwise unclaimed and that has been abandoned on a public highway, public property o...	Arizona	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/arizona/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	seventy-two hours on public or private property	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	california	null	Cal. Veh. Code § 22658	https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=22658.	(a) The owner or person in lawful possession of private property, including an association of a common interest development, as defined in Sections 4080 and 4100 or Sections 6528 and 6534 of the Civil Code, may cause the removal of a vehicle parked on the property to a storage facility that meets the requirements of su...	California	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/california/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	The vehicle has been issued a notice of parking violation, and 96 hours have elapsed since the issuance of that notice	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	colorado	null	C.R.S. 42-4-2101	https://dmv.colorado.gov/abandoned-vehicles	A Motor Vehicle Is Considered Abandoned On Private Property When: Left unattended on private property for a period of 24 hours or longer or for such other period as may be established by local ordinance without the consent of the owner or lessee of such property or the owner's or lessee's legally authorized agent. Stor...	Colorado	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/colorado/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	24 hours or longer	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	connecticut	null	Sec. 14-150	https://web.archive.org/web/2024/https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_246.htm	Sec. 14-150. Abandoned or unregistered motor vehicles and motor vehicles which are a menace to traffic. Notice. Removal. Storage. Hearing. Lien. Affidavit of compliance. Sale. Regulations re title to abandoned motor vehicles and re disposal of motor homes or recreational vehicles abandoned at campgrounds. (a) Any perso...	Connecticut	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/connecticut/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	a period longer than twenty-four hours	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	delaware	null	21 Del. C. § 4401	https://codes.findlaw.com/de/title-21-motor-vehicles/de-code-sect-21-4401.html	(b) Any vehicle that is either: (1) inoperable, dismantled, wrecked, or which displays expired registration plates which are at least 30 days expired, or which displays no registration plates, or from which major components have been removed, is in such a state of disrepair as to be incapable of being operated in the m...	Delaware	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/delaware/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	inoperable, dismantled, wrecked, or which displays expired registration plates which are at least 30 days expired, or which displays no registration plates, or from which major components have been removed, is in such a state of disrepair as to be incapable of being operated in the manner for which it is designed and i...	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	district-of-columbia	null	§ 50–2431	https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/50-2431	§ 50–2431. Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) "Abandoned vehicle" means any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is left, parked, or stored on public space for more than 48 hours or on private property for more than 30 days, and to which at least one of the following applies: (A) The ve...	District of Columbia	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/district-of-columbia/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	on private property for more than 30 days	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	florida	Notice of the sale must be sent by certified mail to the registered owner of the vehicle or vessel, the insurance company insuring the vehicle or vessel, and the person having the recorded lien on the vehicle or vessel at the address shown on the records of the registering agency at least 30 days before the sale of the...	s. 713.78	https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/713.78	A vehicle or vessel that is stored pursuant to paragraph (2)(b) and remains unclaimed, or for which reasonable charges for recovery, towing, or storing remain unpaid, and any contents not released pursuant to subsection (10), may be sold by the owner or operator of the storage space for such towing or storage charge 35...	Florida	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/florida/	[ "notice_process", "time_to_sale_or_disposal" ]	null	[ { "as_of": "2026-09-28T00:00:00", "field": "private_property_threshold", "source": "https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/715.07", "source_quote": "The owner or lessee of real property, or any person authorized by the owner or lessee, which person may be the designated representative of the co...	[]	35 days after the vehicle or vessel is stored by the lienor if the vehicle or vessel is an older model or 57 days after the vehicle or vessel is stored by the lienor if the vehicle or vessel is a newer model
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	georgia	null	O.C.G.A. § 40-11-1	https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-40-motor-vehicles-and-traffic/ga-code-sect-40-11-1/	(E) Which has been left unattended on private property for a period of not less than 30 days.	Georgia	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/georgia/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	not less than 30 days	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	hawaii	null	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 290-11	https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0290/HRS_0290-0011.htm	"Vehicle parked without authorization" means any vehicle left unattended on private or public property that is not parked in compliance with the notice required by subsection (a).	Hawaii	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/hawaii/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	any vehicle left unattended on private or public property that is not parked in compliance with the notice required by subsection (a)	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	idaho	null	Idaho Code § 49-1806	https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title49/T49CH18/SECT49-1806/	(1) Any person having possession or control of real property, including commercial property, who finds an unauthorized vehicle standing on his property is permitted to have the vehicle removed or booted if there is posted on or near the property in a clearly conspicuous location, in large print, a sign or notice that u...	Idaho	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/idaho/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	if there is posted on or near the property in a clearly conspicuous location, in large print, a sign or notice that unauthorized vehicles will be removed or booted at the owner’s expense	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	illinois	law enforcement agency having jurisdiction authorizes removal	625 ILCS 5/4-201	https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K4-201.htm	Abandonment of vehicles prohibited. (a) The abandonment of a vehicle or any part thereof on any highway in this State is unlawful and subject to penalties as set forth under Penalty Section 4-214 of this Chapter. (b) The abandonment of a vehicle or any part thereof on private or public property, other than a highway, i...	Illinois	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/illinois/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	after a waiting period of 7 days or more	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	indiana	null	IC 9-13-2-1	https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-9-motor-vehicles/in-code-sect-9-13-2-1.html	(4) A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of that property for more than forty-eight (48) hours.	Indiana	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/indiana/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than forty-eight (48) hours	[ { "as_of": "2026-09-28T00:00:00", "field": "notice_process", "source": "https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-9-motor-vehicles/in-code-sect-9-22-1-11.html", "source_quote": "Sec. 11. (a) An officer who finds or is notified of a vehicle or parts believed to be abandoned shall attach in a prominent place...	[]	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	iowa	null	321.89	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.89.pdf	321.89 Abandoned vehicles. 1. Definitions. As used in this section and sections 321.90 and 321.91 unless the context otherwise requires: a. “Abandoned vehicle” means any of the following: (1) A vehicle that has been left unattended on public property for more than twenty-four hours and lacks current registration plates...	Iowa	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/iowa/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than twenty-four hours	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	kansas	null	K.S.A. § 8-1102	https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_011_0002.html	upon request of the owner or occupant of such real property, the public agency in whose jurisdiction such property is situated may remove and dispose of such vehicle in the manner provided in subsection (a), except that the provisions of subsection (a) requiring that a motor vehicle be abandoned for a period of time in...	Kansas	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/kansas/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	the provisions of subsection (a) requiring that a motor vehicle be abandoned for a period of time in excess of 48 hours prior to its removal shall not be applicable	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	kentucky	null	376.275	https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=54934	376.275 Lien on motor vehicles and contents for reasonable and applicable charges under KRS 281.920 to 281.936 -- Forfeiture and sale of contents -- Exempted contents -- Limitation of storage or towing company's liability. (1) (a) Any person engaged in the business of storing or towing motor vehicles, who has complied ...	Kentucky	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/kentucky/	[ "time_to_sale_or_disposal" ]	null	null	null	forty-five (45) days
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	louisiana	null	La. R.S. 32:471	https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=88441	a motor vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than three days.	Louisiana	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/louisiana/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than three days	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	maine	14 days after the notices to the owner and lienholder are sent by the Secretary of State or 14 days after the advertisement is published	§1852	https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec1852.html	§1852. Abandonment defined For the purposes of this subchapter, a vehicle is considered "abandoned" if the owner or lienholder does not retrieve it and pay all reasonable charges for towing, storing and authorized repair of the vehicle within 14 days after the notices to the owner and lienholder are sent by the Secreta...	Maine	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/maine/	[ "notice_process", "time_to_sale_or_disposal" ]	null	null	null	14 days
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	maryland	null	25–201	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gtr&section=25-201	§25–201. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Abandoned vehicle” means any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer: (1) That is inoperable and left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours; (2) That has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours; (3) Th...	Maryland	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/maryland/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than 48 hours without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	massachusetts	null	Section 22C	https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section22C	Section 22C: Abandoned motor vehicles; removal and disposal Section 22C. If the superintendent of streets or other officer having charge of the public ways in a city or town reasonably deems that any motor vehicle apparently abandoned by its owner and standing for more than seventy-two hours upon a public or private wa...	Massachusetts	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/massachusetts/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than seventy-two hours upon a public or private way therein or on any property therein without the permission of the owner or lessee of said property	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	michigan	Before removing the vehicle from private property, the towing agency shall provide notice by telephone, or otherwise, to a police agency having jurisdiction over the vehicle that the vehicle is being removed	MCL 257.252a	https://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-257-252a	(2) As used in this section and sections 252b through 252l, "abandoned vehicle" means any of the following: (a) A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner.	Michigan	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/michigan/	[ "notice_process", "private_property_threshold", "time_to_sale_or_disposal" ]	A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner	null	null	not less than 20 days after the date of the notice
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	minnesota	null	168B.04	https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/168B.04	168B.04 AUTHORITY TO IMPOUND VEHICLES. § Subdivision 1.Abandoned or junk vehicles. Units of government and peace officers may take into custody and impound any abandoned or junk vehicle. § Subd. 2.Unauthorized vehicles. (a) Units of government and peace officers may take into custody and impound any unauthorized vehicl...	Minnesota	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/minnesota/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	single-family or duplex residential property, immediately; (ii) that is private, nonresidential property, properly posted, immediately; (iii) that is private, nonresidential property, not posted, 24 hours	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	mississippi	null	Miss. Code Ann. § 63-23-3	https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-63-motor-vehicles-and-traffic-regulations/ms-code-sect-63-23-3/	(c) which has been lawfully towed onto the property of another at the written request of a law enforcement officer and left there for a period of not less than forty (40) days without any one having made claim thereto.	Mississippi	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/mississippi/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	lawfully towed onto the property of another at the written request of a law enforcement officer and left there for a period of not less than forty (40) days without any one having made claim thereto	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	missouri	null	304.157	https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=304.157	304.157. Vehicles left unattended or improperly parked on private property of another, procedure for removal and disposition — violation of certain required procedure, penalty. — 1. If a person abandons property, as defined in section 304.001, on any real property owned by another without the consent of the owner or pe...	Missouri	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/missouri/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	left unattended for more than forty-eight hours	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	montana	null	61-12-401	https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0120/part_0040/section_0010/0610-0120-0040-0010.html	61-12-401. Taking vehicle into custody. (1) The following law enforcement agencies and department of fish, wildlife, and parks personnel may take into custody any vehicle found abandoned for a period of 48 hours or more on a public highway or for a period of 5 days or more on a city street, public property, or private ...	Montana	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/montana/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	5 days or more on a city street, public property, or private property	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	nebraska	null	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-1901	https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=60-1901	(d) If left unattended for more than seven days on private property if left initially without permission of the owner, or after permission of the owner is terminated;	Nebraska	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/nebraska/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than seven days on private property if left initially without permission of the owner, or after permission of the owner is terminated	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	nevada	the person who removed the vehicle must notify the registered owner and any person having a security interest in the vehicle by registered or certified mail that the vehicle has been removed and will be junked or dismantled or otherwise disposed of unless the registered owner or the person having a security interest in...	NRS 487.250	https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-487.html	the person who removed the vehicle must notify the registered owner and any person having a security interest in the vehicle by registered or certified mail that the vehicle has been removed and will be junked or dismantled or otherwise disposed of unless the registered owner or the person having a security interest in...	Nevada	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/nevada/	[ "notice_process", "time_to_sale_or_disposal" ]	null	null	null	15 days after notification
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	new-hampshire	10 days' notice to redeem it	RSA 262:40-c	https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXI/262/262-mrg.htm	a vehicle shall be considered abandoned if it has been left for more than 24 hours without the appropriate permission being given or at a storage facility after having been given 10 days' notice to redeem it.	New Hampshire	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/new-hampshire/	[ "notice_process", "private_property_threshold" ]	more than 24 hours without the appropriate permission being given	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	new-jersey	null	N.J.S.A. 39:4-56.6	https://codes.findlaw.com/nj/title-39-motor-vehicles-and-traffic-regulation/nj-st-sect-39-4-56-6.html	No person shall park or leave unattended a vehicle on private property without the consent of the owner or other person in control or possession of the property or for a period in excess of that for which consent was given, except in the case of emergency or disablement of the vehicle in which case the owner or operato...	New Jersey	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/new-jersey/	[ "private_property_threshold", "time_to_sale_or_disposal" ]	without the consent of the owner or other person in control or possession of the property or for a period in excess of that for which consent was given	null	null	fails to make any claim for the return of the vehicle within 90 days after such removal
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	new-mexico	null	NMSA 1978 (NM MVD Vehicle Procedures Manual, Chapter 1)	https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/chapter-1-vehicles-definitions/	Abandoned vehicle a vehicle or motor vehicle that has been determined by a New Mexico law enforcement agency: (1) to have been left unattended on either public or private property for at least 30 days; (2) not to have been reported stolen; (3) not to have been claimed by any person asserting ownership; and (4) not to h...	New Mexico	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/new-mexico/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	left unattended on either public or private property for at least 30 days	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	new-york	Such local authority shall notify the last owner, if known, that the vehicle in question has been recovered as an abandoned vehicle and that, if unclaimed, it will be sold at public auction or by bid after ten days from the date such notice was given.	N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 1224	https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT/1224	for more than ninety-six hours on property of another if left without permission of the owner. 2. If an abandoned vehicle, at the time of abandonment, has no number plates affixed and is of a wholesale value, taking into consideration the condition of the vehicle, of two thousand two hundred fifty dollars or less, owne...	New York	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/new-york/	[ "notice_process", "private_property_threshold", "time_to_sale_or_disposal" ]	more than ninety-six hours on property of another if left without permission of the owner	null	null	ten days from the date such notice was given
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	north-carolina	null	G.S. § 20-137.7	https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-137.7.html	"Abandoned vehicle" means a motor vehicle that has remained illegally on private or public property for a period of more than 10 days without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property.	North Carolina	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/north-carolina/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than 10 days without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	ohio	null	Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.60	https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4513.60	(A)(1) The sheriff of a county or chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, or township or joint police district, within the sheriff's or chief's respective territorial jurisdiction, upon complaint of any person adversely affected, may order into stora...	Ohio	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/ohio/	[ "private_property_threshold", "time_to_sale_or_disposal" ]	left on private residential or private agricultural property for at least four hours	null	null	remains unclaimed by the owner for thirty days
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	oregon	null	ORS 819.100, ORS 819.210	https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors819.html	If a vehicle taken into custody under ORS 819.110 or 819.120 is not reclaimed within 30 days after it is taken into custody, the person that towed the vehicle shall either: (a) Sell the vehicle and its contents at public auc	Oregon	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/oregon/	[ "time_to_sale_or_disposal" ]	null	null	null	not reclaimed within 30 days after it is taken into custody
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	pennsylvania	Prior to removal or processing of the vehicle, that person shall file a report, on a multipart form prescribed by the department, with the local police department declaring that an unauthorized vehicle has been left unattended and on private property for at least 24 hours.	75 Pa.C.S. § 7311.1	https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute&txtType=PDF&ttl=75&div=00.&chpt=73&sctn=11&subsctn=1	A person on whose private property is located a vehicle which has remained on the property without the consent of the property owner or his agent for more than 24 hours may authorize the removal or processing of the vehicle. (2) Prior to removal or processing of the vehicle, that person shall file a report, on a multip...	Pennsylvania	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/pennsylvania/	[ "notice_process", "private_property_threshold" ]	more than 24 hours	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	rhode-island	null	R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-42-1	http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE31/31-42/31-42-1.htm	R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-42-1 § 31-42-1. Definitions. (a) “Abandoned motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle that is inoperable and over eight (8) years old and is left unattended on public property for more than forty-eight (48) hours, or a motor vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for a period of more than...	Rhode Island	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/rhode-island/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than three (3) days	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	south-carolina	null	S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5810	https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c005.php	SECTION 56-5-5810. Definitions. For the purposes of this article and Article 39: (a) "Officer" means any state, county, or municipal law enforcement officer, including county and municipal code enforcement and sanitation officers. (b) "Abandoned vehicle" means a vehicle required to be registered in this State if operat...	South Carolina	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/south-carolina/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than seven days	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	texas	null	Tex. Occ. Code § 2303.157	https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/occupations-code/occ-sect-2303-157.html	(a) The operator of a vehicle storage facility may dispose of a vehicle for which notice is given under Section 2303.154 if, before the 30th day after the date notice is mailed, the vehicle is not: (1) claimed by a person entitled to claim the vehicle; or (2) taken into custody by a law enforcement agency under Chapter...	Texas	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/texas/	[ "time_to_sale_or_disposal" ]	null	[ { "as_of": "2026-08-19T00:00:00", "field": "private_property_threshold", "source": "https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/transportation-code/transp-sect-683-002.html", "source_quote": "(a) For the purposes of this chapter, a motor vehicle is abandoned if the motor vehicle: (1) is inoperable, is more than fi...	[]	the 30th day after the date notice is mailed
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	utah	null	Utah Code § 41-6a-1408	https://codes.findlaw.com/ut/title-41-motor-vehicles/ut-code-sect-41-6a-1408.html	(1) As used in this section, “abandoned vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor” means a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor that is left unattended: (a) on a highway or on or in the waters of the state for a period in excess of 48 hours; or (b) on public or private property for a period in excess of seven days without expre...	Utah	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/utah/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	in excess of seven days	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	virginia	null	Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-1200	https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter12/section46.2-1200/	"Abandoned motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that: 1. Weighs at least 75 pounds; and 2. (i) Is left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours in violation of a state law or local ordinance; (ii) has remained for more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the pro...	Virginia	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/virginia/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the property's owner	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	washington	null	RCW 46.55.010	https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.55.010	"Unauthorized vehicle" means a vehicle that is subject to impoundment after being left unattended in one of the following public or private locations for the indicated period of time: Subject to removal after: \| (a) \| Public locations: \| (i) \| Constituting an accident or a traffic hazard as defined in RCW 46.55.113 . ....	Washington	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/washington/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	On residential property . . . . Immediately	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	wisconsin	null	342.40	https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/342.40	342.40 Vehicle abandonment prohibited; removal; disposal. 342.40(1c) (1c) In this section, “owner” includes the lessee of a vehicle if the vehicle is registered, or required to be registered, by the lessee under ch. 341. 342.40(1m) (1m) No person shall leave unattended any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or mobile ...	Wisconsin	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/wisconsin/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than 48 hours in cities of the 1st class and, in other cities, villages and towns, a period set by the governing body thereof	null	null	null
[ "regulatory_citation", "state" ]	wyoming	null	Wyo. Stat. § 31-13-101	https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title31.pdf	private property for more than thirty (30) days without the oral or written consent of the owner	Wyoming	https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/wyoming/	[ "private_property_threshold" ]	more than thirty (30) days without the oral or written consent of the owner	null	null	null

How long before a car left on your property or towed from it can legally be sold — by US state

Canonical, always-current version: https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/ Machine-readable: https://referencesource.org/abandoned-vehicle-private-property-timelines-by-state/data.json — this mirror is a point-in-time copy.

Last verified: 2026-08-18
Stale after: 2027-08-18 (past this date, prefer the canonical copy — it re-verifies on a cadence this snapshot does not)
Records: 44

State-by-state comparison of the legal timeline for a vehicle left on private property (or towed from it) to be classified abandoned, held, noticed, and eventually sold or junked. This is a genuinely different process shape per state, not just a different number of days on the same form: Colorado uses a flat 24-hour threshold for a vehicle to count as abandoned on private property, and a separate 48-hour window for the owner to reclaim it from an impound lot before it is treated as abandoned there too. Georgia uses a single flat 30-day unattended-on-property threshold, with no separate notice-and-sale sequence specified at the abandonment-classification stage. Texas runs a multi-step notice sequence instead of a single threshold: the vehicle must sit at least 24 hours before a first notice is sent (within 5 days if Texas-registered, 14 days if out-of-state), a second notice follows 15-20 days after the first, and the storage facility must then wait at least 30 days after the second notice before a public sale — a ~65-90 day process from tow to sale, compared to Colorado's 24-48 hour classification. Answers 'how long do I have to get my towed car back before it's sold', and 'how long does a car have to sit on my property before I can have it removed as abandoned'. Relevant to property owners, HOAs, landlords, and people whose car has been towed.

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