Wisconsin law defines abandoned vehicles and authorizes removal after 48 hours on highways or public property. State statute provides uniform procedures for impoundment, notice to owners, and disposal applicable in every municipality.
Under Wis. Stat. section 342.40, any vehicle left unattended for more than 48 hours on a highway, public property, or private property without consent is presumed abandoned. Local law enforcement or designated agents may remove the vehicle to a storage facility. Owners are notified by mail using DOT records, and unclaimed vehicles may be sold or destroyed after the statutory holding period. Junk vehicles valued under $500 may be disposed of immediately. Municipalities adopt local ordinances within this framework but cannot shorten owner notice or alter disposal rules set by state statute.
Owners forfeit the vehicle and remain liable for towing, storage, and disposal costs. Failure to remove may result in additional citations under local ordinances.
Appleton, WI
Appleton considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
Appleton, WI
Appleton enforces quiet hours 10 PM to 7 AM. The Fox Valley's largest city (pop. 75,000) home to Lawrence University manages noise from College Avenue nightl...
Appleton, WI
Appleton regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. WI Stat. §947.01 applies.
Appleton, WI
Appleton Municipal Code Sec. 23-44 (Title 23, Zoning) caps boundary fences at 6 feet in residential districts and 12 feet in commercial/industrial districts....
Appleton, WI
WI Stat. §90.02 to 90.14 provides line fence cost-sharing for rural/agricultural land. Urban residential fences: each owner responsible for their own.
Appleton, WI
Appleton may allow residential beekeeping with hive limits and setbacks. Registration with WI DATCP required. WI Stat. §94.76.
See how Appleton's abandoned vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
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