Mendocino County, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Inoperative-vehicle limit
- 10 days (MCC 15.28.010)
- Screening exception
- Enclosed in building or behind 6-ft solid fence
- Abatement notice / hearing
- 15-day intent; 10-day to request hearing (MCC 15.28.060)
- State nuisance authority
- CVC §§ 22660, 22661
- AVA service authority
- CVC § 22710; $1 DMV fee; serves unincorporated + Ukiah/Willits/Fort Bragg
Summary
Mendocino County Code Chapter 15.28 makes it an infraction to leave a wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle on public or private property for more than 10 days, and declares such vehicles a public nuisance subject to abatement under California Vehicle Code Sections 22660 and 22661.
It shall be unlawful and an infraction for any person to abandon, park, store, or leave or permit the abandonment, parking, storing, or leaving of any licensed or unlicensed vehicle or part thereof which is in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative condition upon any private property or public property for a period in excess of ten (10) days unless such vehicle or part thereof is completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner or is located behind a solid fence six (6) feet in height where it is not plainly visible from the street.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 75).
Full Breakdown
010 makes it unlawful and an infraction to abandon, park, store, or leave any licensed or unlicensed vehicle (or part) in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative condition on public or private property for more than 10 days, unless it is fully enclosed in a building or screened behind a six-foot solid fence so it is not visible from the street, or is part of a licensed dismantler or dealer operation. 020 declares such vehicles a public nuisance abatable under California Vehicle Code Sections 22660 and 22661.
030). 060). Separately, the County's Abandoned Vehicle Abatement program (a Service Authority established under CVC Section 22710 and funded by a $1 DMV registration assessment) removes vehicles abandoned on public County roads, tagging them under CVC Sections 22669 and 22661 with a 10-day notice. The program serves unincorporated Mendocino County plus the Cities of Ukiah, Willits, and Fort Bragg.
Violations & Fines
Leaving an inoperative or wrecked vehicle visible on property for more than 10 days is an infraction under MCC 15.28.010, punishable by fines under Government Code Section 25132, with each week after the first citation a separate offense (MCC 15.28.140). Vehicles on public roads may be towed under the AVA program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a junk or non-running car sit on my property in unincorporated Mendocino County?
Who do I report an abandoned vehicle to and what happens next?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mendocino County
California rules heatmap·Compare Mendocino County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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