Los Angeles vs San Diego
How do abandoned vehicles rules compare between Los Angeles, CA and San Diego, CA?
San Diego has fewer restrictions than Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
LAMC 80.73.2 prohibits parking any vehicle on a public street for 72 or more consecutive hours. LAMC 80.73.1 separately prohibits using streets for vehicle storage by dealers, repair shops, and wrecking businesses. Abandoned automobiles are defined in LAMC 12.03 as vehicles with registration expired 6+ months.
View full Los Angeles rules →San Diego, CA
San Diego County
No vehicle may be parked continuously at one location on any public roadway for more than 72 hours under the San Diego Municipal Code. The San Diego Police Department's Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Unit removes wrecked, dismantled, and inoperative vehicles from public and private property. Vehicle habitation on streets is prohibited under SDMC §86.0137, including within 500 feet of a residence or school.
View full San Diego rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Los Angeles | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Time Limit | 72 consecutive hours on public streets | - |
| Code Section | LAMC 80.73.1, 80.73.2 | - |
| Definition | Registration expired 6+ months (LAMC 12.03) | - |
| Hotline | 1-800-ABANDON (1-800-222-6366) | - |
| Towing | $200+ plus daily storage fees | - |
| 72-Hour Rule | - | No vehicle may remain in one spot over 72 hours |
| Reporting | - | SDPD Abandoned Vehicle Unit: 858-495-7856 |
| Habitation | - | Vehicle habitation banned per §86.0137 |
| 500-ft Buffer | - | No vehicle habitation within 500 ft of residence or school |
| Private Property | - | Inoperative vehicles on private property also subject to abatement |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Los Angeles FAQ
How do I report an abandoned vehicle in LA?
Call 1-800-ABANDON (1-800-222-6366) Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM, or file an online report through the LA Parking Violations Bureau. You can also use the MyLA311 app to report stored or abandoned vehicles.
How long can a car sit on an LA street before being towed?
Under LAMC 80.73.2, any vehicle parked on a public street for 72 or more consecutive hours may be cited and towed. A warning notice is typically posted first. Inoperable vehicles may be towed immediately under California Vehicle Code 22669.
San Diego FAQ
How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
Contact the SDPD Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Unit at 858-495-7856 or report online through the City's Get It Done app.
How long before a parked car is considered abandoned?
A vehicle parked on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours without being moved may be cited and towed as abandoned.
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