Cleveland, OH Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- City Limit
- 72 hours on public streets
- State Limit
- 48 hours (ORC §4513.60)
- Enforcement
- Impoundment under Ch. 405
- Report
- Call 311 or 216-664-2000
Summary
Vehicles parked on Cleveland streets for more than 72 hours are deemed abandoned under §451.25 and subject to impoundment under Chapter 405. Ohio state law (ORC §4513.60) defines abandoned as 48+ hours.
(A)(1) The sheriff of a county or chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, or township or joint police district, within the sheriff's or chief's respective territorial jurisdiction, upon complaint of any person adversely affected, may order into storage any motor vehicle, other than an abandoned junk motor vehicle as defined in section 4513.63 of the Revised Code, that has been left on private residential or private agricultural property for at least four hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property. The sheriff or chief, upon complaint of a repair garage or place of storage, may order into storage any motor vehicle, other than an abandoned junk motor vehicle, that has been left at the garage or place of storage for a longer period than that agreed upon. When ordering a motor vehicle into storage pursuant to this division, a sheriff or chief may arrange for the removal of the motor vehicle by a towing service and shall designate a storage facility.
(2) A towing service towing a motor vehicle under division (A)(1) of this section shall remove the motor vehicle in accordance with that division. The towing service shall deliver the motor vehicle to the location designated by the sheriff or chief not more than two hours after the time it is removed from the private property, unless the towing service is unable to deliver the motor vehicle within two hours due to an uncontrollable force, natural disaster, or other event that is not within the power of the towing service.
(3) Subject to division (B) of this section, the owner of a motor vehicle that has been removed pursuant to this division may recover the vehicle only in accordance with division (D) of this section.
(4) As used in this section, "private residential property" means private property on which is located one or more structures that are used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one or more persons, if no more than three separate households are maintained in the structure or structures. "Private residential property" does not include any private property on which is located one or more structures that are used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by two or more persons, if more than three separate households are maintained in the structure or structures.
Full Breakdown
Cleveland Codified Ordinances §451.25 defines any vehicle standing or parked on a street, alley, or public grounds for more than 72 hours as abandoned. This is slightly more lenient than Ohio state law (ORC §4513.60), which defines abandoned vehicles as those left unattended for 48+ hours on public streets. Abandoned vehicles in Cleveland are subject to impoundment under Chapter 405. Property owners may also report abandoned vehicles on private property to code enforcement.
Violations & Fines
Vehicle impounded and towed at owner's expense. Storage and towing fees apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a car sit on the street without moving?
Can I keep an inoperable car in my driveway?
Sources & Official References
- [1]ORC 4513.60
- [2]Source
Other rules in Cleveland
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cuyahoga County handle abandoned vehicles.