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Madison County, AL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Trigger
more than one unregistered, untagged vehicle
Condition
vehicle in public view
Applies to
unincorporated Madison County only
Business exception
licensed business, reasonably necessary storage
Enforcement
Circuit Court civil action under § 173.04

Summary

Parking, leaving or storing more than one unregistered, untagged motor vehicle in public view on any Madison County property is a public nuisance under Ala. Code § 45-45-173.02. The rule applies only in the unincorporated county and exempts a licensed business storing vehicles as a reasonably necessary part of its operation.

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

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), it is unlawful and constitutes a public nuisance for any person to park, leave, or store upon any place or premises in public view within the unincorporated territory of Madison County more than one motor vehicle which is not currently and validly registered and tagged as required by state law. (b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a licensed business if the parking, leaving, or storing of the motor vehicle is reasonably necessary in the operation of the business, directly or indirectly.

Full Breakdown

02(a), enacted by Act 92-502 in 1992 and amended by Act 93-709 in 1993, makes it unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to park, leave, or store more than one motor vehicle that is not currently and validly registered and tagged under state law, on any place or premises in public view within the unincorporated territory of Madison County. The threshold is deliberately set at more than one such vehicle, meaning a single unregistered car sitting in a driveway does not trigger the statute, but a second one does.

Subsection (b) exempts a licensed business from subsection (a) if storing the vehicle is reasonably necessary to running that business, directly or indirectly, which covers operations like tow lots, repair shops and dealerships handling inventory or customer vehicles as part of their trade. 04, the same enforcement mechanism used for the county's junk and junkyard nuisance provisions: the Madison County Commission brings a civil action in the Circuit Court of Madison County to abate or enjoin the nuisance, and the court can order the violator to pay the full cost of abatement along with the county's attorney's fees, court costs and other litigation expenses.

Because the statute is triggered by visibility, a vehicle stored out of public view, inside a closed garage or behind a solid fence, for example, falls outside its reach even if unregistered.

Violations & Fines

The Madison County Commission enforces this section civilly under § 45-45-173.04 by suing in the Circuit Court of Madison County to abate or enjoin the nuisance. A court order against the property owner can require removal of the vehicles and assess the full abatement cost plus the county's attorney's fees, court costs and litigation expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many unregistered cars can I keep on my property in Madison County?
One. Section 45-45-173.02(a) only declares a nuisance when more than one motor vehicle that is not currently and validly registered and tagged is parked, left, or stored in public view.
Does hiding the car in a garage avoid the rule?
The statute only reaches vehicles stored 'in public view,' so a vehicle kept where it cannot be seen from outside the property is outside the scope of § 45-45-173.02(a).
Are tow lots and repair shops exempt?
Yes. Section 45-45-173.02(b) exempts a licensed business if storing the vehicle is reasonably necessary to the operation of that business, directly or indirectly.
How does the county force removal of the vehicles?
The Madison County Commission sues in the Circuit Court of Madison County under § 45-45-173.04 to abate the nuisance, and the court can make the owner pay the abatement cost plus the county's attorney's fees.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Madison County

All Madison County rules

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