Catoosa County, GA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Catoosa County Unified Development Code § 1.08.02 defines an abandoned vehicle two ways. First, any car, truck, trailer, boat, motorcycle, recreational vehicle or manufactured home left unattended on a highway, street, alley or other public property outside a designated parking space for more than 48 hours qualifies. Second, a vehicle in public view that is inoperable, partially or wholly dismantled, wrecked, junked, discarded, or carries no current license plate qualifies once it has sat outside an enclosed building, garage, carport or licensed junkyard for more than 30 days, whether it sits on private or public land.

UDC § 9.05.01(A)(4) lists the keeping or maintenance of one or more abandoned vehicles in public view among the illustrative public nuisances the county can abate, and § 9.05.01(B) makes it unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to cause, permit, maintain or allow that nuisance. Enforcement runs through the Zoning Administrator's office: an investigation ordinarily requires an affidavit of complaint signed by at least three persons from different households, though the Administrator can also act on his own motion under § 9.05.01(C). Before filing in court, the Administrator must give the owner or occupant written notice to abate, describing the nuisance, the required corrective acts and a deadline; unresolved cases go to the Magistrate Court of Catoosa County.

A magistrate finding of guilt under § 9.05.01(D) makes the owner guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $1,000.00, with each day the vehicle remains a separate offense.