Outagamie County, WI Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies in
- unincorporated county only
- Abandoned threshold
- 48 hours (Sec. 18-43)
- Enforcement
- tow and impound, Sec. 18-46
- Sale notice
- 10 days to owner/lienholders
Summary
In unincorporated Outagamie County, leaving a vehicle unattended and apparently abandoned on public or private property for more than 48 hours is a public nuisance that officers can tow, impound, and eventually sell.
No person shall leave unattended any vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or mobile home on any public highway or private or public property for such time and under such circumstances as to cause the vehicle to reasonably appear to have been abandoned within the unincorporated municipalities of the county. Such vehicle is deemed an abandoned motor vehicle and constitutes a public nuisance. A motor vehicle shall not be considered an abandoned motor vehicle when it is out of ordinary public view, or when designated as not abandoned by a duly authorized county official pursuant to county ordinance.
(Code 1992, § 9.01(3))
State Law reference— Similar provision, Wis. Stats. § 342.40(1m).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 18-44 bars leaving any vehicle, trailer, or mobile home unattended on a public highway or private or public property under circumstances making it appear abandoned, and applies only within the county's unincorporated municipalities. Appleton, Kaukauna, and the other incorporated cities enforce their own ordinances. A sheriff's deputy or other officer may order the vehicle towed and impounded under Sec. 18-46, and it can be sold after a ten-day notice to the owner and lienholders under Sec. 18-47.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a vehicle abandoned is a public nuisance under Sec. 18-45; officers may tow and impound it under Sec. 18-46 and sell it after notice under Sec. 18-47.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Appleton or Kaukauna?
How long before a vehicle counts as abandoned?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Outagamie County
Compare Outagamie County to another location·View the Wisconsin parking rules overview
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