Lake County, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Lake County's Chapter 13, Article V (Removal of Vehicles) is the county's own abandoned-vehicle law for the unincorporated area, supplementing the California Vehicle Code (Sec. 13-27.1). An "abandoned vehicle" is one left on public property, or on private property in such inoperable or neglected condition that the owner's intention to relinquish all rights may reasonably be concluded (Sec. 13-28.1.g). A "public nuisance vehicle" is any abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle on public or private property (not highways) that reduces property value, promotes blight, invites plundering, creates fire hazards, or harbors rodents (Sec. 13-28.1.f). Section 13-31 authorizes a designated county employee, with reasonable grounds, to abate and remove such a vehicle under Vehicle Code Section 22660. The county must give a notice of intention to abate and remove at least 10 days before removal (Sec. 13-32.1), stating the hearing rights of both the property owner and the vehicle owner (Sec. 13-33.1); the owner may request a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors within 10 days (Sec. 13-34.2). Notice is not required for a low-value vehicle inoperable from a missing motor, transmission, or wheels that is an immediate public-health threat (Sec. 13-32.2). After removal, the county must notify the DMV within 5 days (Sec. 13-36.1). Vehicles enclosed in a building or stored behind a six-foot solid fence and not visible are exempt (Sec. 13-29.1).