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Canal Winchester, OH Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified April 2026

Key Facts

Public Property
48 hours abandoned
Private Property
72 hours without permission
State Law
ORC 4513.60-65
Junk Vehicles
Prohibited in yards
Recovery
Tow plus storage fees

Summary

Canal Winchester defines abandoned vehicles under Ohio Revised Code 4513.63 as those left on public property 48+ hours or on private property 72+ hours without permission. Police tag vehicles, then tow to impound after notice. Owner recovery requires paying towing and storage fees.

As used in this section, "abandoned junk motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle meeting all of the following requirements: (1) Left on private property for forty-eight hours or longer without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, or upon or within the right-of-way of any road or highway, for forty-eight hours or longer; (2) Three years old, or older; (3) Extensively damaged, such damage including but not limited to any of the following: missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission; (4) Apparently inoperable; (5) Having a fair market value of one thousand five hundred dollars or less. (B) The sheriff of a county or chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, university campus police department, park district police force, or township or joint police district, within the sheriff's or chief's respective territorial jurisdiction, or a state highway patrol trooper, natural resources officer, or wildlife officer, upon notification to the sheriff, chief, or department of natural resources of such action, shall order any abandoned junk motor vehicle to be photographed by a law enforcement officer. The officer shall record the make of motor vehicle, the serial number when available, and shall also detail the damage or missing equipment to substantiate the value of one thousand five hundred dollars or less.

Full Breakdown

Canal Winchester follows Ohio Revised Code 4513.60 through 4513.65 for abandoned vehicle handling. A vehicle is presumed abandoned if left on public right-of-way for 48 hours or longer, or on private property without the owner's permission for 72 hours or longer. Police affix a warning tag, and if not moved, tow the vehicle to a designated impound lot. The owner is notified by certified mail. Unclaimed vehicles after statutory notice periods (typically 14 to 30 days) may be sold at public auction, with proceeds applied to towing and storage costs. Junk vehicles (wrecked, dismantled, inoperative) stored in open view on residential property for more than 72 hours are also prohibited as nuisances under property maintenance code.

Violations & Fines

Abandoned on street: tow plus 150 to 400 dollar fees. Junk vehicle on residential property: property maintenance citation 100 to 500 dollars, mandatory removal within 30 days. Unpaid impound: auction sale to recover costs.

Sources & Official References

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