DeKalb County follows Georgia abandoned vehicle law (OCGA §40-11-1+). Vehicles on public property 10+ days or inoperable vehicles on private property without screening may be impounded. Junk vehicles prohibited in residential zones.
DeKalb County enforces OCGA §40-11-1 through §40-11-23 for abandoned and derelict vehicles, supplemented by local Code Chapter 14. On public streets, vehicles left 10 or more days (or without current registration) can be tagged and towed. On private property in residential zones, inoperable or unregistered vehicles must be stored inside a garage or behind an opaque fence/screen; up to one inoperable vehicle may be permitted if actively being repaired with time limits. Junk vehicles (stripped, substantially damaged, no engine/wheels) are prohibited entirely. DeKalb Code Enforcement issues Notice to Abate with typically 10-14 days to comply before towing. Vehicles with expired tags for over 30 days are presumptively abandoned under state law.
Notice to abate with 10-14 day compliance. Failure to comply: vehicle towed at owner expense ($175-$400+ tow plus $25/day storage). Recorder's Court citation: up to $1,000 fine for property owner.
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See how Decatur's abandoned vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
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