Skagit County, WA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Skagit County Sheriff's Office
- Abandonment threshold
- 24 hours without owner's consent
- Presumption of abandonment
- 48 hours per SCC 10.20.080
- Nuisance-hearing notice period
- 20 days per SCC 10.20.190
- Reporting-violation penalty
- Up to 90 days jail or $250 fine
Summary
Skagit County Code Chapter 10.20 lets the Sheriff impound a vehicle or "automobile hulk" left on a highway or another's property without consent for 24 hours or longer. A vehicle is presumed abandoned after 48 hours under SCC 10.20.080, triggering notice, an optional hearing before the County Commissioners, and eventual disposal by a state-appointed tow operator.
The Board of County Commissioner finds and declares that the protection and welfare of the general public require the establishment of a suitable means of disposing of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles; automobile hulks or parts thereof; or impounded vehicles or impounded automobile hulks or parts thereof found within the County outside the corporate limits of any city or on property owned by the County within or without the corporate limits of any city. ... “Abandoned vehicle” as used in this Ordinance means any vehicle left within the limits of any highway or upon the property of another without the consent of the owner of such property for a period of twenty-four (24) hours, or longer, except that a vehicle shall not be considered abandoned if its owner or operator is unable to remove it from the place where it is located and so notifies law enforcement officials and requests assistance. ... An abandoned vehicle or an abandoned automobile hulk as defined by this ordinance shall be presumed to be abandoned if it remains as such for a period of forty-eight (48) hours or more after being considered abandoned.
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Skagit County defines an "abandoned vehicle" in SCC 10.20.020(1) as any vehicle left on a highway or on someone else's property without the property owner's consent for 24 hours or longer, unless the owner has notified law enforcement that they cannot move it. An "abandoned automobile hulk," meaning wreckage that cannot be made operative without vital parts and substantial labor and that has sat unchanged for 24 hours, is treated the same way. Under SCC 10.20.080, once a vehicle or hulk meets that definition it is presumed abandoned for impoundment purposes after 48 hours.
The Sheriff can process a vehicle found abandoned on a highway under SCC 10.20.040, or one left on private property without consent under SCC 10.20.050 after the property owner or lessee files a complaint. Before the regular impoundment, SCC 10.20.060 requires notice by certified mail to the registered and legal owner plus notice affixed to the vehicle, and an opportunity for a hearing before the Board of County Commissioners if requested within 10 days. Separately, SCC 10.20.190 lets the Sheriff treat an abandoned, wrecked or inoperative vehicle on private property as a public nuisance: after 20 days' written notice to the registered owner and the property owner with no hearing requested, the county may abate, impound and remove it and bill the removal cost to the last registered owner, unless that owner properly transferred title under SCC 10.20.100.
Immediate, no-notice impoundment is allowed under SCC 10.20.110 when a vehicle obstructs traffic, blocks a driveway, or blocks ingress or egress to county property. Disposal proceeds under R.C.W. 46.52.111 and .112 through a state-appointed tow operator, with proceeds above towing, storage and sale costs returned to the county general fund.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a vehicle abandoned in violation of Chapter 10.20 exposes the last registered owner to liability for towing, storage and disposal costs, plus a deficiency claim of up to $100 under SCC 10.20.150(2)(c). Failing to report the required details of a sale or disposal to the Sheriff, or filing a willfully inaccurate report, is a misdemeanor under SCC 10.20.150(5) punishable by up to 90 days in the Skagit County Jail or a fine of up to $250.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a vehicle sit before Skagit County treats it as abandoned?
Can Skagit County remove an abandoned vehicle from my private property?
Who pays to tow and dispose of an abandoned vehicle in unincorporated Skagit County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Skagit County
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