Elyria, OH Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Nuisance vehicle storage
- More than five days outside a garage or public view
- Private property limit
- Nuisance vehicle cannot stay more than three days
- Junk vehicle value ceiling
- $1,500 or less fair market value
- Junk vehicle with owner consent
- Uncovered more than 72 hours
- Tow timing
- Four days after notice posted on vehicle
- Who pays towing
- Vehicle owner or premises owner
- Base penalty
- Minor misdemeanor plus disposal costs
Summary
In the City of Elyria, Ohio, leaving a vehicle on private property without permission, or on a public street without telling the Police Chief why, is a minor misdemeanor with disposal costs added. Nuisance motor vehicles can be towed four days after notice is posted on the vehicle.
(a) No person shall leave any vehicle or an "abandoned junk motor vehicle," as defined in Ohio R.C. 4513.63, on private property without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, or on a public street or other property open to the public for purpose of vehicular travel or parking, or upon or within the right-of-way of any road or highway, without notification to the Police Chief of the reason for leaving the vehicle in such place. (b) No person shall leave any motor vehicle deemed a nuisance motor vehicle as provided in Section 521.10 on private property for more than three days without being stored within an enclosed garage or obscured from public view. ... (d) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall also be assessed any cost incurred by the Municipality in disposing of such abandoned junk motor vehicle or nuisance motor vehicle, less any money accruing to the Municipality from disposal.
Full Breakdown
Elyria Codified Ordinances § 303.09(a) bars leaving any vehicle or an abandoned junk motor vehicle on private property without the permission of the person entitled to possess it. It also bars leaving one on a public street, other property open to vehicular travel or parking, or within a road right-of-way, without notifying the Police Chief of the reason. Under § 303.09(b), a nuisance motor vehicle cannot sit on private property more than three days unless it is stored in an enclosed garage or obscured from public view. Under § 303.09(c), a vehicle left without permission or notification is prima facie evidence of abandonment, and so is a vehicle deemed a nuisance motor vehicle.
Section 521.10(b)(2) defines the nuisance vehicle: a motor vehicle unlicensed or three years old or older, extensively damaged (missing wheels, tires, motor or transmission), apparently inoperable, with a fair market value of $1,500 or less, stored on public or private property more than five days outside an enclosed garage or out of public view. The City posts the abate notice on the vehicle itself, and three days after service the vehicle is deemed stored without permission and a nuisance motor vehicle subject to impound under § 303.08.
Under § 303.08(d), the Safety Service Director or a designee can order removal four days after the notice is posted. The owner of the vehicle or the owner of the premises pays the towing cost, and the Police Division is told the license number of the vehicle towed.
A separate rule covers vehicles left with the owner's consent. Section 303.10 defines a junk motor vehicle as one three years old or older, extensively damaged, apparently inoperable, worth $1,500 or less, left uncovered in the open on private property more than 72 hours. The police chief, the Legislative Authority or the zoning authority can send certified mail giving ten days to house the vehicle in a garage or remove it. Each further 30-day period is a separate offense, and collector's vehicles can be required only to be concealed.
Violations & Fines
Under § 303.09(d), a violation is a minor misdemeanor, and the violator is also assessed any cost the Municipality incurs in disposing of the abandoned junk motor vehicle or nuisance motor vehicle, less any money the Municipality receives from disposal. Under § 521.10(a)(3), failing to comply with an abatement notice is a minor misdemeanor with each day a separate offense, and a second offense within six months is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. A violation of § 303.10 is a minor misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a car count as a nuisance motor vehicle in the City of Elyria?
Can the City tow an abandoned vehicle from my property?
What if the junk vehicle is on my own lot with my permission?
Do I have to tell the police if I leave a car on a public street?
What is the penalty for abandoning a vehicle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Elyria
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