Charleston County, SC Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

South Carolina's abandoned-vehicle statute (SC Code 56-5-5810) defines an abandoned vehicle and lets law enforcement remove it after the statutory waiting period. A vehicle on a highway more than 48 hours, or on private/public property more than seven days without the property owner's consent, qualifies. The statute also defines a 'derelict vehicle' (expired registration with owner moved, missing major parts, removed VIN, disclaimed ownership, or over eight years old and unregistered). Separately, the Charleston County ZLDR limits how inoperable vehicles may be kept on a lot (see junk-vehicle screening rules). A tagged vehicle is subject to removal and public sale.