Bessemer, AL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Bessemer Code of Ordinances Sec. 106-258 makes it unlawful to abandon a motor vehicle on any street, highway, alley or other public way of the city, while Sec. 106-259 bars abandoning a vehicle on another person's private property without the owner's permission, letting any resident file a complaint with the police department to trigger impoundment. Section 106-260 is the property-maintenance rule that reaches a homeowner's own lot: no person in charge of property, whether owner, tenant or occupant, may allow a partially dismantled, nonoperating, wrecked, discarded or abandoned motor vehicle to remain on that property longer than seven days, unless it sits inside an enclosed building, is part of a lawfully operating business's necessary equipment, or is in an appropriate city-maintained storage depository.

Removal follows a defined procedure under Sec. 106-261: an officer affixes a bright orange "Towing Warning" emblem at least five by seven inches giving at least seven days' notice before removal, unless the vehicle is illegally parked or disabled, in which case it may be impounded immediately without the emblem. The police department must notify the state department of motor vehicles within five days of impoundment (Sec. 106-261(c)), and the owner gets written notice at least 30 days before any sale, including the right to demand a hearing before a district or circuit judge within ten days of the sale date (Sec.

106-262). An unclaimed vehicle may be sold after 60 days, with the chief of police holding sale proceeds for six months for anyone who can prove title (Sec. 106-263). Appendix C's fine schedule sets escalating penalties specifically for abandoning a motor vehicle under section 98-192: $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second, $150 for a third and $200 for a fourth.