Durham, NC Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

City Code §§ 26-146 through 26-155 give the housing code administrator authority to declare and remove abandoned, hazardous, and junked motor vehicles from public and private property. Under § 26-147, it is unlawful to leave an abandoned vehicle on a public street or highway for more than seven days, on city-owned property for more than 24 hours, or on private property without the consent of the owner, occupant, or lessee for more than two hours. Section 26-146 defines a junked motor vehicle as one lacking a current, lawfully displayed license plate that is partially dismantled or wrecked, cannot be self-propelled in the manner originally intended, or is more than five years old and worth less than $500.

S. 2 to regulate junked vehicles to protect property values and neighborhood appearance; § 26-149(c) makes it unlawful to leave or allow a junked vehicle to remain after removal has been ordered. Before towing, § 26-150 requires the housing code administrator to mail written notice to the registered owner at least seven days ahead, or post notice on unidentified vehicles, stating the violation, the tow date, and the right to a pre-tow hearing. After a tow, § 26-151 gives the owner 21 days to request a probable-cause hearing, and § 26-152 lets an owner reclaim the vehicle by paying towing and storage costs, or lets the city sell or destroy it after 30 days if unclaimed.

The rule exempts vehicles inside enclosed buildings, those actively used by a lawful business, and vehicles at a licensed automobile graveyard or junkyard under § 26-154.