Charleston, WV Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Abandoned threshold
- Inoperative 5+ days (3 if unconsented)
- Max fine
- $500.00 per offense
- Max jail
- 30 days
- Owner notice before seizure
- 30 days, private property
- Enforcement agency
- Charleston Police Department
Summary
Charleston makes it unlawful to abandon a motor vehicle on any public right-of-way, other public property, or private property you don't own, lease, rent or control, and separately bans depositing junked vehicles anywhere but a licensed salvage yard or demolisher's lot.
No person shall, within this city, abandon a motor vehicle upon the right-of-way of any public highway, upon any other public property, or upon any private property which he does not own, lease, rent or otherwise control unless it be at a licensed salvage yard or at the business establishment of a demolisher.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).
Full Breakdown
City code treats abandoned and junked motor vehicles as a public nuisance. A vehicle counts as "abandoned" once it's inoperative and left on public or private property more than five days (three days if left without the property owner's consent). The police department, as enforcement agency, may take any abandoned or junked vehicle into custody from public or private property; before removing one from private property it must give the property owner and vehicle owner 30 days' written notice unless the vehicle is restored to functional use.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of Article III is a misdemeanor: a fine up to $500.00, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense; a convicted violator's license is also revoked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave a broken-down car in my own driveway?
What happens to a seized abandoned vehicle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston
Compare Charleston to another location·View the West Virginia parking rules overview
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