Deerfield Beach, FL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 34-160
- Private property time limit
- 72 hours if not enclosed
- Public property/ROW notice
- 72 hours before seizure
- Post-seizure storage period
- 60 days
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 60 days jail
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 2015/022, § 11, 8-18-15
Summary
Deerfield Beach bans parking a rusted, wrecked, junked, or inoperative vehicle on private property for more than 72 hours unless it sits inside an enclosed building, under Section 34-160(a). On public property or the right-of-way, code enforcement gives 72 hours' notice before police can seize and store the vehicle for 60 days.
Private property: It shall be unlawful to park, store, or leave or permit the parking or storage of any licensed or unlicensed motor vehicle of any kind, for a period of time in excess of 72 hours which is in rusted, wrecked, junked, partially dismantled or inoperative, or abandoned condition, whether attended or not, upon any private property within the city limits, unless such vehicle is completely enclosed within a building, or unless it is in connection with a business enterprise lawfully situated and licensed for same.
Full Breakdown
Section 34-160(a) makes it unlawful to park, store, or leave any licensed or unlicensed motor vehicle that is rusted, wrecked, junked, partially dismantled, inoperative, or abandoned on private property within city limits for more than 72 hours, unless the vehicle is completely enclosed in a building or tied to a lawfully licensed business use. The section defines an inoperative vehicle as one that cannot be legally or safely driven on public roads, evidenced by nonfunctioning standard components, missing current registration, or no visible tag. On public property or right-of-way, Section 34-160(b) requires code enforcement to give written notice, by personal service, a notice placed on the vehicle, or certified mail, that the vehicle must be removed within 72 hours.
If it remains after that window, law enforcement is authorized to seize it and move it to an approved storage area. Section 34-160(c) sets a 60-day storage period during which storage charges may apply, and Section 34-160(d) requires the city to notify the registered tag owner by mail of the storage location and date if the tag is current. Vehicles not properly claimed within the 60 days are disposed of under Florida Statutes.
Violations & Fines
The code enforcement special magistrate has direct jurisdiction over Chapter 34, Article VIII violations under Section 2-357(a)(2)l. A conviction carries the citywide general penalty in Section 1-15(d): up to a $500.00 fine, up to 60 days in jail, or both, plus a $25.00 crime prevention fund assessment, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. Vehicles seized from public property are stored at the owner's expense and, if unclaimed after 60 days, are disposed of under state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I keep a junked car in my driveway in Deerfield Beach?
What happens if my car is towed from the street?
Will Deerfield Beach notify me before disposing of my seized vehicle?
What counts as an "inoperative" vehicle under the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Deerfield Beach
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