Anaheim, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Time limit before violation
- 10 days
- Enforcing agency
- Chief of Police
- Notice to abate period
- 10 days
- Appeal window
- 5 days after hearing decision
- Fence exception height
- 6-foot solid fence, not visible
Summary
Anaheim bans keeping an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle on private or public property (not highways) for more than ten days. The Police Department enforces it as a public nuisance, with notice, a hearing and cost assessment against the property owner or the last registered owner.
It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to abandon, park, store, or leave or permit the abandonment, parking, storing or leaving of any licensed or unlicensed vehicle or part thereof which is in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative condition upon any private property or public property not including highways within the City for a period in excess of ten days unless such vehicle or part thereof is: .010 Completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not visible from the street or other public or private property; .020 Enclosed within a solid fence six feet in height and is not plainly visible from the street or other public or private property; .030 Enclosed by any other lawful means of screening and is not plainly visible from the street or other public or private property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-28: Code: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026 | Zoning: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
160. 030. 050) and may enter private or public property to inspect a vehicle or determine ownership. 080), an owner, lessee or occupant who fails to remove such a vehicle can be given a written Notice to Abate Nuisance giving ten days to remove it; if the owner is unknown or lives out of state, notice is instead posted on the vehicle for ten days. 100. The hearing officer (the Chief of Police or a deputy) can order removal and assess administrative and removal costs against the property owner, unless the owner proves by a preponderance of the evidence the vehicle was placed there without consent and was not acquiesced to, in which case costs fall on the last registered owner instead. 120, with the City Council hearing the appeal. 130). 150).
Violations & Fines
Keeping an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle beyond the ten-day limit is a misdemeanor under Section 6.80.160. Refusing to remove the vehicle or to abate the nuisance after a valid order is a separate misdemeanor under Section 6.80.170. Unpaid administrative and removal costs are assessed as a lien against the property (Section 6.80.150) or referred to the City Attorney for collection against the vehicle's registered owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I keep an inoperative car in my Anaheim driveway?
Who enforces Anaheim's abandoned vehicle rules?
What happens if I do not remove the vehicle after being notified?
Can I be charged if someone dumped the vehicle on my land without my permission?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anaheim
California rules heatmap·Compare Anaheim to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle abandoned vehicles.