Daly City, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

California Vehicle Code §22669 authorizes peace officers and designated city/county employees to remove any vehicle from a highway or from public or private property when there are 'reasonable grounds to believe that the vehicle has been abandoned.' Vehicles missing critical components (engine, transmission, wheels) and posing safety risks 'may be removed immediately upon discovery.' CVC §22523 defines abandonment in part as leaving a vehicle on public or private property for an unreasonable period without consent. For derelict vehicles on Daly City streets, the typical pathway is: (1) resident calls the Daly City Police non-emergency line, (2) an officer or parking enforcement employee inspects and chalks/tags the vehicle, (3) after the statutory waiting period (72 hours for CVC §22651(k) or shorter under §22669 for clearly abandoned/derelict vehicles), the vehicle is towed and stored. California funds an Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority program in many counties (including San Mateo County) via a vehicle registration surcharge to reimburse local abatement costs.