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Fulton County, GA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Trigger
no plates, or inoperable 30+ days
Exception
enclosed or covered in rear yard
Max penalty
$1,000 fine / 60 days jail
Scope
unincorporated Fulton County

Summary

Unincorporated Fulton County bans keeping unlicensed vehicles, or any vehicle left inoperable over 30 days, on residential property or street rights-of-way under Code § 78-77, unless it's enclosed or covered in the rear yard.

City-specific rules exist: Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Atlanta have their own abandoned vehicles rules that differ from Fulton County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Vehicles and trailers of any kind without current license plates shall not be parked or stored on or about any property within a residential zoned district or on the right-of-way of any residential street. Further, vehicles, trailers or equipment permitted to remain in an inoperable condition for more than 30 days shall not be parked or stored on or about any property within a residential zoned district. Provided, however, this section shall not apply to vehicles, trailers or equipment stored in an enclosed structure or appropriately covered and located in the rear yard area. Any vehicle, conveyance or trailer parked in a manner that violates this provision shall be considered an abandoned vehicle and a nuisance posing a threat to the public health or safety and shall be subject to removal as otherwise authorized in this article.

(Ord. No. 98-1059, 8-5-98; Res. No. 09-0288, 3-4-09)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 57).

Full Breakdown

Fulton County Code § 78-77 prohibits parking or storing vehicles or trailers without current license plates on or about property in a residential zoned district, or on a residential street's right-of-way, in unincorporated Fulton County. It also bars leaving a vehicle, trailer or equipment inoperable for more than 30 days in the same locations. The ban doesn't apply if the vehicle is inside an enclosed structure or appropriately covered and kept in the rear yard. A violating vehicle is deemed abandoned and a public-health nuisance subject to removal.

Violations & Fines

Misdemeanor under § 78-78: up to $1,000 fine and/or 60 days jail per occurrence; the county may tow, seize and hold the vehicle until fines and costs are paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a broken-down car in my backyard?
Yes, if it's in an enclosed structure or appropriately covered and located in the rear yard: that's the express exception in § 78-77.
Does the 30-day inoperable rule apply only to my driveway?
It applies to any residential zoned property or the right-of-way of a residential street in unincorporated Fulton County, not just driveways.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fulton County

All Fulton County rules

Compare Fulton County to another location·View the Georgia parking rules overview

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