Santa Clara County, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Abandoned and inoperative vehicles in unincorporated Santa Clara County are addressed in two ways. On public roads, Title B, Division B12, Chapter III ('Stopping, Standing and Parking') governs. Its 72-hour rule provides that a vehicle left standing on a highway in unincorporated territory for 72 or more consecutive hours may be removed by the California Highway Patrol or a Sheriff's deputy under the Vehicle Code, with notice and tow/storage liens handled per state law. Article 4 of Chapter III, added by Ordinance NS-404.2 (sections B12-171 through B12-188), addresses abandoned and inoperative vehicles and the County's abatement authority, consistent with California Vehicle Code Section 22660. Santa Clara County participates in an Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority funded through DMV registration fees. Residents in unincorporated areas (and the contract towns of Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, and Saratoga) may report an abandoned vehicle to the Sheriff's Office at (408) 299-2311 or (408) 299-3233. On private residential property, the Zoning Ordinance (Section 4.20.070) limits inoperative or disabled vehicles: a vehicle is inoperable or disabled if it cannot be immediately started and moved under its own power or is not currently registered; no more than two such vehicles may be stored or worked on, and none may be stored where visible from neighboring properties or the public street.