New York Vehicle and Traffic Law sets uniform definitions and removal procedures for abandoned vehicles statewide, governing how police and municipalities take custody of and dispose of derelict cars on public and certain private property.
Vehicle and Traffic Law Article 56 establishes that any vehicle left unattended on a public highway for more than 96 hours, or left without permission on private property and reported to police, may be classified as abandoned. Police may take custody, notify the registered owner, and after statutory waiting periods sell or dispose of the vehicle. Municipalities can adopt local impound and storage fee schedules but must follow the state framework for notice, owner rights, and lien procedures. The DMV title transfer rules for abandoned vehicles are uniform statewide.
Owners face towing fees, daily storage charges, and potential loss of title if the vehicle is sold at auction. Property owners who fail to follow notice procedures before removing a vehicle from private property may face civil claims from the registered owner.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Erie County.
See how Clarence's abandoned vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
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