Chelan County, WA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Abandonment threshold
- 24 hours or longer on public property
- Impound-to-disposal window
- 15 days unclaimed
- Misdemeanor fine
- Up to $250 plus disposal costs
- Private-property notice period
- 10 days to request a hearing
- Enforcing agency
- Chelan County Sheriff's Office
Summary
A vehicle left on a Chelan County road right-of-way or public property for 24 hours or longer counts as abandoned under Chelan County Code § 9.32.010, and the Sheriff impounds it, disposing of unclaimed vehicles after 15 days under § 9.32.030.
“Abandoned vehicle” means any vehicle left upon the right-of-way of any county road or public property for a period of twenty-four hours or longer ... § 9.32.020. Abandonment prohibited. No person shall abandon any vehicle or vehicle hulk, or leave any vehicle or vehicle hulk on any public property or county road right-of-way of Chelan County for such time and under such circumstances as to cause such vehicle to appear to have been abandoned. ... § 9.32.030. Impoundment – Disposition. It shall be the duty of the sheriff or his authorized representative to remove and impound any abandoned vehicle or abandoned vehicle hulk or any vehicle left contrary to Section 9.32.020. If that vehicle ... remains unclaimed for a period of fifteen days, it shall be deemed an abandoned vehicle ... § 9.32.040. Violation – Penalty. A violation of this chapter shall be deemed a misdemeanor punishable, upon conviction thereof, by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars and costs to the county of disposing of such motor vehicle.
Full Breakdown
36 for private property. 010 defines an "abandoned vehicle" as one left on a county road right-of-way or public property for twenty-four hours or longer, with an exception if the owner or operator cannot move it and promptly notifies law enforcement and requests assistance. 020 makes it unlawful to abandon a vehicle or vehicle hulk on public property or county right-of-way, or to leave one long enough or under circumstances that make it appear abandoned, or to leave it contrary to posted parking limits. 112, though a vehicle ten or more model years old may be declared a public nuisance and disposed of without a notice of sale.
36 lets the Sheriff declare an abandoned vehicle hulk a nuisance outside city limits, but only after mailing notice to the registered owner and property owner and allowing ten days to request a hearing before the Board of County Commissioners.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Chapter 9.32 is a misdemeanor under § 9.32.040 punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars, plus the county's costs of disposing of the vehicle, less any proceeds the county recovers from that disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a vehicle become legally "abandoned" in Chelan County?
How long before an impounded abandoned vehicle is disposed of?
What is the penalty for abandoning a vehicle on county property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chelan County
Compare Chelan County to another location·View the Washington parking rules overview
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