Spartanburg County, SC Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- City tow authority
- Spartanburg Code § 40-133
- Owner notice
- Within 72 hours, registered mail
- State definition
- S.C. Code § 56-5-5810
- Abandoned on highway
- More than 48 hours
- County complaints
- Environmental Enforcement
Summary
In the City of Spartanburg, an abandoned, wrecked, or illegally parked vehicle may be towed by an approved wrecker after officer approval. Statewide, South Carolina Code § 56-5-5810 defines a vehicle abandoned after 48 hours on a highway or 7 days on other property.
Whenever a public safety officer finds a motor, or other vehicle, that has been abandoned or wrecked upon the public streets or ways of the city, or that has been parked in violation of a city ordinance, such officer may, with the approval of the director of public safety, have such vehicle removed by any wrecker service.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 40-133 lets a public safety officer, with the director of public safety's approval, have an abandoned, wrecked, or illegally parked vehicle removed by an approved wrecker service and held until claimed or disposed of. The owner must be notified within 72 hours by registered mail (§ 40-134). In unincorporated Spartanburg County, the former junk-vehicle ordinance was repealed in 2011 and moved to the Unified Land Management Ordinance; complaints go to County Environmental Enforcement, and South Carolina Code § 56-5-5810 defines abandoned and derelict vehicles.
Violations & Fines
Owners pay towing and storage charges to reclaim a vehicle; unclaimed vehicles may be sold. State law allows removal after 48 hours (highway) or 7 days (private/public property).
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a vehicle legally abandoned in South Carolina?
Who handles abandoned cars in unincorporated Spartanburg County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spartanburg County
Compare Spartanburg County to another location·View the South Carolina parking rules overview
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