Bozeman, MT Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 16.03.010 of the Bozeman Municipal Code makes it unlawful to park, store or leave, or permit the parking or storing of, any licensed or unlicensed motor vehicle, or part of one, in a rusted, wrecked, junked, partially dismantled, inoperative or abandoned condition for more than 72 hours on private property in the City of Bozeman. The vehicle can be attended or not. The only exceptions are a vehicle completely enclosed within a building and one connected with a business enterprise lawfully situated and licensed for that use. Accumulating two or more such vehicles or parts is a nuisance, and both the registered owner and the property owner, lessee or person in possession must remove them from the city limits or house them in a building where they are not visible from the street.

The enforcement steps are printed in the following sections. The director of community development gives written notice to the registered owner of the vehicle or to the owner or lessee of the land (section 16.03.020), demanding removal from the city limits, or housing in a building out of view from the street, within 72 hours from service. Notice can be by personal service or by certified mail with return receipt requested, and it is deemed given when a certified letter is refused or returned unclaimed and the letter is affixed to the front door. If a diligent search cannot find the owner, the city clerk posts a public notice in three public places for five consecutive days (section 16.03.030).

If no one complies, the city, its agent or contractor can remove the vehicle at a cost not to exceed $25.00 and a minimum cost of $5.00 as determined by the city, and ownership vests in the city, agent or contractor on removal (section 16.03.040). The city manager can contract with a licensed junk dealer for removal, paid by the vehicle itself (section 16.03.050).

On public property, section 36.02.020(A)(6) lets police remove a vehicle abandoned on any street, highway or city-operated public parking lot by not being moved or used for more than seven consecutive days when it is apparently deserted. The owner must show identity and ownership, sign a receipt, and pay towing and storage charges to reclaim it.