College Station, TX Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

The statute lists specific situations, each with its own clock. A vehicle that is inoperable, more than five years old, and left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours is abandoned; every condition in that prong must be met, so a newer or running car is not captured by it. Separately, any vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours is abandoned regardless of age or condition, meaning a parking violation plus 48 hours is enough. A vehicle left on private property without the consent of the owner or person in charge for more than 48 hours also qualifies, which is the prong that helps a College Station property owner stuck with someone else's car. On the right-of-way of a designated county, state, or federal highway the threshold is again more than 48 hours, and on a turnpike right-of-way it drops to more than 24 hours.

Locally, vehicles without current registration, with flat tires, or with significant damage may be classified as abandoned. Code enforcement issues a notice to the registered owner before towing. On your own property, an inoperable vehicle must be kept in an enclosed garage or behind an opaque fence rather than in open view, though exemptions may apply for a vehicle actively being repaired under a valid permit.