Baytown, TX Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Two separate but overlapping rules apply. Sec. 34-91 defines an "abandoned motor vehicle" as one that's inoperable and more than five years old and left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours, has sat illegally on public property past 48 hours, has remained on private property without the owner's consent for more than 48 hours, or has been left on a state, county or federal highway right-of-way for more than 48 hours. A "junked vehicle" is any self-propelled vehicle, aircraft or watercraft lacking a current license plate, registration or number that is wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, discarded, or inoperable for more than 72 consecutive hours.

Sec. 34-93 declares any junked vehicle visible from a public place or right-of-way a public nuisance because it endangers public safety, lowers property values, invites vandalism, creates fire hazards, and produces urban blight. Before removal, Sec. 34-95 requires the city to mail the registered owner and any lienholder a notice giving ten days to abate the nuisance or request a hearing before the municipal court judge, where the vehicle is presumed inoperable unless the owner proves otherwise. Separately, Sec. 34-97 lets the police chief take a true abandoned vehicle into custody from public or private property directly, sending certified-mail notice to the owner and lienholders within ten days and giving them 20 days to reclaim it by paying towing and storage charges before the city sells it at public auction under Sec.

34-98. Vehicles fully enclosed in a building, stored by a licensed dealer, junkyard or antique collector behind screening, or used as a permitted sign are exempt under Sec. 34-94.