Plumas County, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Unlike most parking topics here, abandoned/inoperable vehicles are squarely a county matter. Plumas County Code Title 5, Chapter 8 declares that accumulating abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or excess inoperable vehicles or parts on private or public property promotes blight, invites plundering, creates fire hazard, and is an attractive nuisance injurious to health, safety and general welfare. The County Code Enforcement Department explains you may keep only one non-operational vehicle on your property, and it must be either a DMV-registered non-operational vehicle or an unregistered inoperable vehicle; specially constructed vehicles under California Vehicle Code Section 580 are treated separately. The ordinance does not apply to a vehicle (or parts) fully enclosed within a building, or stored lawfully in connection with a licensed dismantler or junkyard. Abatement procedure: a code enforcement officer mails a notice of violation/order to abate by registered mail not less than 10 days before further action; owners may request an appeal hearing within the compliance period. After the order, a vehicle may be removed, DMV is notified within five days, and administrative and removal costs are billed to the property owner (payable within 45 days), with unpaid amounts assessed against the property at 6.5% annual interest. Abandoned vehicles on private property are reported to Code Enforcement at (530) 283-7002; abandoned vehicles within a state highway go to CHP.