Grant County, WI Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Chapter 262 of the Code of Grant County carries forward Ch. 12 of the Grant County Ordinances, adopted 8-1-1972 by the County Board of Supervisors under § 342.40, Wis. Stats., to give county, state and municipal officers a method for disposing of abandoned vehicles in Grant County, Wisconsin.

The prohibition. Section 262-2 says no person shall leave unattended any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or mobile home on any public highway or public or private property for such time and under such circumstances as to cause it to reasonably appear to have been abandoned. The 48-hour rule in § 262-3 turns on where the vehicle sits: a vehicle left unattended on any property without the property owner's permission, or on public property or a public highway, for more than 48 hours is deemed abandoned and constitutes a public nuisance.

Removal. Under § 262-4 a municipal or university police officer, deputy sheriff, state traffic officer or conservation warden who finds an abandoned vehicle on a highway or on private or public property must have it taken to a suitable place of impoundment and must notify the Sheriff or Chief of Police of the abandonment and location. When a towing service does the removal, the officer has 24 hours from ordering it to give the tow service the name and last known address of the registered owner and all lienholders of record, unless a towing service agreement has the municipality or county send that notice. The vehicle stays impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of. If towing and storage would cost more than the vehicle is worth, the County can junk it early once the Grant County Sheriff determines it is not stolen or wanted for evidence.

Disposal. For a vehicle valued in excess of $100, § 262-6A requires storage for 10 days after certified mail notice to the owner and lienholders of record, with the same notice posted at the Sheriff's office, before the County can sell it by sealed bid or auction. A vehicle valued at less than $100 can go by direct sale to a licensed salvage dealer once it is determined not to be reported stolen or wanted for evidence. A buyer has 10 days to remove the vehicle. Within five days after any sale or disposal, the County must report it to the Division of Motor Vehicles, Wisconsin Department of Transportation.