Anne Arundel County, MD Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- § 12-3-104
- Abandonment threshold
- more than 48 hours on property
- Garage threshold
- more than 10 days
- Maximum penalty
- $25 fine or 10 days jail
- Enforcement
- Anne Arundel County Police Department
Summary
Anne Arundel County bans abandoning a motor vehicle anywhere in the county, including unincorporated communities like Glen Burnie and Severna Park, and lets police impound vehicles left on public or private property for more than 48 hours.
(b) Prohibition. A person may not abandon a motor vehicle in the County... (c) Sanction for violation. A person may not be convicted of a violation of this section unless it is shown that the abandoned vehicle has remained on public or private property for more than 48 hours or in a garage for more than 10 days. A person who violates ... is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $25 or imprisonment not exceeding 10 days or both.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 12-3-104 makes it a misdemeanor to abandon a motor vehicle anywhere in Anne Arundel County, and bars property owners or custodians from allowing an abandoned vehicle to remain on their land. A vehicle counts as abandoned once it is partially dismantled, wrecked, junked, unregistered, or carries expired or mismatched plates, unless it sits inside a building or on an operating business's premises where it is needed for the business. No conviction stands unless the vehicle remained on the property more than 48 hours, or in a garage more than 10 days. Violators face up to $25 and 10 days in jail, each day a separate offense. Applies in unincorporated Glen Burnie and Severna Park, with no city code.
Violations & Fines
Fine up to $25 plus up to 10 days in jail; each day the vehicle remains is a separate offense. Police may also impound abandoned vehicles from public property, billing the owner for towing and storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply in Glen Burnie or Severna Park?
How long can a junk car sit before it's illegal?
Can police tow it from my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland parking rules overview
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