Bowling Green, KY Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Bowling Green relies on a layered abandoned-vehicle framework. The street-side rule is set by Kentucky state law: KRS 189.751 (Abandonment of vehicle on county road or city street - Penalty - Removal - Disposition) provides that any vehicle left on a county road or city street for three consecutive days is presumed to be abandoned. The public authority having jurisdiction - in Bowling Green, the city through the Police Department and Public Works - shall cause a presumed-abandoned vehicle that is fit for future use to be removed by a person engaged in the business of storing or towing motor vehicles. The responsible person is subject to a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100, or imprisonment of not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days. Vehicles abandoned on state highways are governed by the parallel statute, KRS 189.753, which adds notification requirements. On private property, Section 27.4.03.a of the Bowling Green Property Maintenance Code (BGKY C27 27.4.03) makes it unlawful to park, keep, or store any junk motor vehicle on private premises longer than three calendar days unless enclosed in a building. The code defines a junk motor vehicle as any inoperable motor vehicle, whether repairable or not, not displaying a current valid license plate, and/or which is wrecked, partially or totally dismantled, or cannot otherwise be safely or legally operated on a public roadway. This is enforced as a civil code violation through the Code Compliance & Animal Protection Division of Neighborhood & Community Services (270-393-3444), with escalation to the Code Enforcement and Nuisance Board. Reports may also be filed through the city's online Report a Problem portal. After the December 2021 EF3 tornado, the city worked alongside community volunteers (more than 6,000 hours of debris-clearing) and used these standard frameworks to move storm-damaged and abandoned vehicles off public ways and private lots during recovery.