Annapolis, MD Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Private-lot grace period
- 30 days, one unregistered vehicle
- Removal deadline after notice
- 7 days
- Public-property vehicles
- subject to impoundment/tow
- Penalty
- municipal infraction, Council-set fine
- Governing law
- Annapolis City Code Ch. 12.44
Summary
Annapolis bans wrecked, junked, or dismantled vehicles on streets, public property, and private lots; owners may keep one unregistered or uninspected vehicle on their own property for only 30 days before removal is required.
No person in charge or control of any property within the City, whether as owner, tenant, occupant or otherwise, shall allow any partially dismantled, nonoperating, wrecked, junked or discarded vehicle to remain on the property; however, a person in charge or control of any property within the City may park, keep, or store one unregistered or uninspected motor vehicle on his or her property for a period not to exceed thirty days. No person shall be deemed to have violated this section unless it is shown that the person was notified of the provisions of this section and directed to remove the vehicle within seven days from receipt of the notification but failed to remove the vehicle. This section does not apply with regard to a vehicle in an enclosed building, a vehicle on the premises of a business enterprise operated in a lawful place and manner when necessary to the operation of the business enterprise or a vehicle in an appropriate storage place or depository maintained in a lawful place as a business enterprise authorized by this code.B.Any person who violates this section is guilty of a municipal infraction as defined by Chapter 1.20 and is subject to a fine as established by resolution of the City Council. (Ord. O-5-04 § 1 (part), 2004; Ord. O-23-01 § 1: Ord. O-45-90 § 1; Ord. O-57-87 § 1; prior code § 16-74)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2025 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
City Code Chapter 12.44 bars abandoning, wrecking, or junking vehicles anywhere in the City. On streets or public property, an unattended partly dismantled, inoperable, wrecked, or junked vehicle may be impounded by the Police Department or an authorized agent, with recovery costs charged to the owner and enforceable as a lien (§ 12.44.020, § 12.44.030). On private property, an owner, tenant, or occupant may keep one unregistered or uninspected motor vehicle for up to 30 days; beyond that, or for any dismantled, wrecked, or discarded vehicle, the owner must remove it within seven days of written notice or face a municipal infraction (§ 12.44.040).
Violations & Fines
Keeping a wrecked/junked vehicle, or an unregistered one past 30 days, is a municipal infraction once 7 days' written notice to remove it has passed; vehicles left on streets or public property may be impounded and towed, with recovery costs becoming a lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an unregistered car in my driveway in Annapolis?
What happens to a junked car left on an Annapolis street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Annapolis
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