Greenwood, IN Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

The Common Council declares wrecked, junked, and abandoned vehicles a public nuisance and safety hazard under § 6-296, citing shelter for vermin and unsecured trunk and engine compartments that endanger children. Section 6-297 makes it unlawful to keep, park, or store any wrecked, junk, or abandoned vehicle, or part of one, anywhere on public property in Greenwood, or on private property where it is visible from public view, in any zoning district. An officer, defined as a member of the City Code Enforcement Department or the Greenwood Police Department, who finds such a vehicle must tag it with a notice under § 6-299 giving the owner 24 hours to move it if it sits within the right-of-way of an interstate or state highway, or 72 hours for any other location, before the City removes it.

If the officer believes the vehicle is worth at least $1,000, the officer must first try to identify the owner, then have the vehicle towed to a storage yard if it is not moved in time; a towing service or storage yard may sell a vehicle worth less than $1,000 after 30 days, crediting proceeds against removal and storage costs. Nine exceptions apply under § 6-298, covering vehicles enclosed out of public view, registered antiques, operable vehicles parked within a block of the owner's residence, vehicles of deployed service members, licensed scrap yards, dealer lots, raceway cars, golf carts, and off-road vehicles. Sale proceeds beyond costs go to the City's Abandoned Vehicle Fund, administered by the Finance Department under § 6-304.