Farmington Hills, MI Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Farmington Hills' abandoned-vehicle framework is set by Michigan Vehicle Code MCL 257.252a. Under MCL 257.252a, an 'abandoned vehicle' includes a vehicle that has remained on public property for a period of not less than forty-eight hours, with limited exceptions for vehicles displaying valid registration plates on state trunk-line highways. A police agency that has reason to believe that a vehicle is abandoned may take the vehicle into custody, and within twenty-four hours after taking the vehicle into custody must enter the vehicle as abandoned into LEIN and notify the Secretary of State, which notifies the last titled owner and any secured party that the vehicle is considered abandoned. The owner may seek a hearing in district court to contest the abandonment finding within twenty days; if no hearing is requested or if the court finds the vehicle abandoned, the vehicle is sold at public auction by the towing custodian. On private property, the Farmington Hills Police Department Traffic Safety Section assists property owners with removing abandoned vehicles left on their property, but the vehicles are removed only at the request of the property owner. The Traffic Safety Section responds to verify that the vehicle is not stolen and notifies the Secretary of State that the vehicle has been impounded, after which the Secretary of State notifies the registered owner of the impoundment. To report an abandoned vehicle in Farmington Hills, contact the City of Farmington Hills at (248) 871-2400 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or the Farmington Hills Police non-emergency line at (248) 871-2600 after hours. The Zoning Ordinance also addresses inoperable / unlicensed vehicles stored on private residential property as a separate code-enforcement matter, with enforcement by the Zoning Division at (248) 871-2520.