Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 22D governs removal and disposal of abandoned motor vehicles statewide, setting uniform procedures that apply on public ways and private property regardless of municipality.
Under MGL c.90 §22D, a vehicle left on public or private property without consent for over 72 hours may be deemed abandoned. Police or authorized agents may have the vehicle towed to a licensed storage facility. Owners must be notified by certified mail, and after a statutory waiting period, unclaimed vehicles may be sold at public auction. The statute applies uniformly across all 351 cities and towns and sets minimum procedural requirements that local rules cannot reduce.
Owners face towing fees, daily storage charges, and potential loss of vehicle through public auction if unclaimed within statutory notice periods.
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