Abandoned Vehicles: Clovis vs Selma

Clovis aggressively enforces abandoned vehicle removal on both public streets and private property. Under California Vehicle Code 22669, vehicles left on streets for 72+ hours or inoperable vehicles on private property are subject to citation and towing. The city operates an abatement program for persistent violations.

Selma enforces abandoned and inoperable vehicle abatement through a combination of local municipal code provisions and California Vehicle Code Sections 22651 and 22660, which provide the statutory framework for removing vehicles from both public streets and private property. On public streets, any vehicle parked for more than 72 consecutive hours is subject to citation and towing under CVC 22651(k). On private property, abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles are declared public nuisances under CVC 22660, which authorizes the City of Selma to initiate abatement proceedings that can result in the removal of the vehicle at the owner's expense. The city must provide written notice of intent to abate at least 10 days before removing a nuisance vehicle from private property, during which time the property owner may request an administrative hearing to contest the determination. Vehicles that are missing essential components such as engines, transmissions, or wheels, or that have registration expired for more than six months, are typically classified as inoperable and subject to abatement. Selma Code Enforcement handles complaints about abandoned and nuisance vehicles on both public and private property, investigating reports and initiating the appropriate enforcement process.