Bothell, WA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcer
- Code compliance officer under the Bothell Community Development Director
- Criminal fine
- $250.00 plus costs, each day a separate offense
- Civil penalty cap
- $500.00 per violation, $1,000 for repeat violators
- Hearing examiner costs
- Administrative costs of up to $500.00
- Exceptions
- Fully enclosed in a building, or fenced at a licensed dismantler or dealer
- Yard limit
- One nonoperational vehicle outside a building for no more than 14 days
Summary
In the City of Bothell, Washington, a car, truck, boat, trailer or RV that is extensively damaged or apparently inoperable, worth only its scrap, and not validly licensed or registered in Washington is a nuisance vehicle. Leaving one on private property is a criminal violation and a public nuisance, even when the owner gave permission.
A. All nuisance vehicles placed or situated upon private property within the Bothell city limits shall constitute a criminal violation and shall be subject to the penalties as set forth in BMC 8.23.090, and are also public nuisances to be abated as provided in this chapter; provided, however, that this chapter shall not apply to: 1. A vehicle or part thereof that is completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not visible from the street or other public or private property; or 2. A vehicle or part thereof that is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler or licensed vehicle dealer and is fenced according to the provisions of RCW 46.80.130. B. This section shall apply even in cases where permission has been given for the vehicle to be left on the property.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8.23 of the Bothell Municipal Code targets the vehicle itself. A nuisance vehicle is any car, truck, motorcycle, boat, trailer, recreational vehicle (RV), self-propelled construction equipment or heavy machinery, or any other motorized or non-motorized means of conveyance, or any part of one, that meets any one of three conditions and is also not validly licensed or registered in Washington. The conditions are extensive damage such as a broken window or windshield or missing wheels, tires, motor or transmission; being apparently inoperable; or having a fair market value equal only to the scrap in it. Under BMC 8.23.020, a vehicle like that on private property inside the Bothell city limits is a criminal violation and a public nuisance, and the section applies even where permission was given to leave it. Two exceptions exist: a vehicle completely enclosed in a building where it is not visible from the street or other property, and a vehicle kept in a lawful manner at a licensed dismantler or licensed vehicle dealer and fenced according to RCW 46.80.130.
A code compliance officer, meaning the director of community development or the director's designee, issues the notice of violation. It goes to the property owner of record and the last registered owner of the vehicle, by personal service or certified mail with return receipt requested. The notice describes the vehicle, the corrective action and the deadline, and sets a hearing before the hearing examiner, whom the city manager appoints. Completing the corrective action by the deadline avoids the hearing. At the hearing the examiner can assess administrative costs of up to $500.00, and the landowner can appear or file a written statement denying responsibility. If the vehicle was placed without the landowner's consent and the landowner has not acquiesced, the examiner shall not assess removal costs against the property owner.
Removal happens at the request of a law enforcement officer, and the vehicle goes to a licensed and registered disposer. The city can record a lien with the county auditor for removal costs, fines and collection costs. Separately, BMC 8.24.050 J limits a responsible person to one nonoperational or abandoned vehicle outside an enclosed building at any one time, for a period not to exceed 14 days.
Violations & Fines
Under BMC 8.23.090, a violation is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of $250.00 plus costs, and each day is a separate offense. Under BMC 8.23.050 the civil penalty is capped at $500.00 per violation, or $1,000 for a repeat violator with a notice on the same property within five calendar years, and is due within fifteen calendar days of the examiner's order. Violating the examiner's order is its own daily criminal offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a vehicle a nuisance vehicle in Bothell?
Does the owner's permission let me leave a junk car on someone's lot in Bothell?
Who pays if someone dumps a vehicle on my Bothell property?
How long can I keep one inoperable vehicle in my Bothell yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bothell
Compare Bothell to another location·View the Washington parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle abandoned vehicles.