Doña Ana County, NM Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Chapter 312, Article I, adopted February 27, 2007 by Ordinance No. 228-07, defines abandoned as any motor vehicle without a current license plate left unattended more than 72 consecutive hours, and separately reaches wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles (Section 312-2). Section 312-3(A) bars parking, storing or leaving such a vehicle, or parts of one, on any private or public property in the County for more than 72 hours, and declares the presence of such a vehicle in violation a public nuisance. Exceptions under Section 312-3(B) cover vehicles enclosed and out of public view on private property, vehicles held by a properly licensed and zoned business, farm vehicles on agricultural land, active racing vehicles, and vehicles under a restoration permit (capped at 18 months, no more than two permits per location).

For vehicles on public property, Section 312-4 requires the County to post notice on the vehicle and mail certified notice to the registered owner giving 10 days to remove it before the County or a wrecker service tows it and bills the owner for removal costs; within 48 hours of removal, the County must notify the owner where the vehicle is stored and what it costs. A law enforcement officer may skip the 10-day notice and move a vehicle immediately if it poses an immediate danger to motorists on the right-of-way (Section 312-4(F)). Owners and property owners or occupants are jointly presumed responsible for removal under Section 312-4(A) and (B).