Citrus County, FL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Right-of-way removal window
- 72 hours after tagging
- Garage exception
- Fully enclosed only, no carports
- Hearing body
- Code compliance special master
- Towing cost
- Charged to vehicle owner
- Governing article
- Ch. 20, Art. IV, §§ 20-40 to 20-45
Summary
Keeping an abandoned, unlicensed or inoperable vehicle anywhere in unincorporated Citrus County is a declared public nuisance, and a vehicle left in a road right-of-way gets tagged with a 72-hour removal notice before the county has it towed at the owner's expense.
It shall be a violation of this article for any person, firm or corporation to keep, dump, store, place or deposit abandoned, unlicensed, inoperable, junked, disabled, wrecked, discarded or otherwise unused vehicles or vehicles without a valid registration or tag on any property, street, or highway... the officer shall place a tag on the vehicle notifying the owner that the vehicle must be removed within 72 hours or it is subject to being towed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 76).
Full Breakdown
Article IV of Chapter 20 finds that abandoning vehicles or storing unlicensed, inoperable vehicles outside a lawfully established junkyard creates health hazards and attractive nuisances, and section 20-41 makes it a violation to keep, dump, store, place or deposit an abandoned, unlicensed, inoperable, junked, disabled, wrecked, discarded or otherwise unused vehicle, or one without a valid registration or tag, on any property, street or highway. Section 20-42 carves out two exceptions: vehicles at a lawfully established junkyard or repair business, and inoperable or unlicensed vehicles kept entirely inside a fully enclosed garage (open carports do not count) by the property's own owner or occupant for noncommercial use.
12. A vehicle in a public or private road right-of-way is handled faster under section 20-45: the officer tags it with notice that it must be removed within 72 hours or be towed, and if it is not moved in time the county has it towed and stored at the owner's expense, with notice sent afterward identifying the towing company. This article covers unincorporated Citrus County only.
Violations & Fines
Failure to correct an abandoned-vehicle violation on private property after notice leads to a special master hearing under Chapter 19's code compliance procedures and can result in a citation. A vehicle in a right-of-way not removed within 72 hours of tagging is towed and stored at the owner's expense under section 20-45, and unresolved code compliance violations can result in liens on the property under the county's general enforcement authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before an abandoned vehicle gets towed in Citrus County?
Can I keep an inoperable car in my driveway?
What happens if an abandoned vehicle is on private property, not the road?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Citrus County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Citrus County to another location·View the Florida parking rules overview
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