Elko County, NV Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 10-2-1 declares the accumulation and storage of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles, or parts of them, a public nuisance and a crime against the order and economy of the County. The stated reasons are lower property values, blight, plundering, hazards to minors and a harborage for rodents and insects. Section 10-2-2 defines "vehicle" broadly: automobile, truck, trailer, tractor, railway car, motorcycle, self-propelled van, dune buggy, snowmobile and all terrain vehicles. Section 10-2-3 exempts a vehicle completely enclosed in a building where it cannot be seen from the street or other property, and a vehicle stored lawfully in connection with a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer or junk dealer, or as necessary to a lawfully conducted business.

The Planning Advisor administers the chapter under 10-2-5, and the Advisor, deputies, assistants and employees can enter private or public property to examine a vehicle and have it removed. Once a nuisance is found, notice goes by certified mail to the owner or person in custody of the property and to the last registered owner of the vehicle. The recipient has fifteen days from receipt to take one of six steps: enclose the vehicle in a building, move it out of sight on the owner's own property, take it to a licensed dismantler or junk dealer, take it to a designated County or City dumpsite, release it to the County and accept the removal cost against the property, or file a written disclaimer of ownership or responsibility and request a hearing.

A person who files the disclaimer gets a hearing before the Board of County Commissioners, with written notice by certified mail posted at least seven days ahead. The Board can delay removal, impose conditions, order the vehicle removed and charge administrative and removal costs to the owner of the parcel. If the vehicle was placed on the land without the landowner's consent and the landowner never acquiesced, the Board cannot charge those costs to the landowner. Within five days after removal the County notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles (10-2-8). Under 10-2-9 the cost of removal, including administrative costs, is a lien on the land. Section 10-2-4 states the chapter is not the exclusive regulation of these vehicles.