A vehicle is abandoned once it sits inoperable or unattended on public property, or on private property without the owner's consent, for more than 48 hours. Howard County Police handle disposal under County Code Title 17 and Maryland Transportation §25-201.
Maryland defines an abandoned vehicle in Transportation §25-201; Howard County enforces removal under County Code Title 17, Subtitle 6 (Towing from Private Property). On public property a vehicle is abandoned if it is inoperable and left unattended more than 48 hours, remains illegally more than 48 hours, or lacks valid registration. On private property, a vehicle that stays more than 48 hours without the owner's consent may be towed, but only after the owner or agent authorizes a registered trespass tower and posts 48-hour notice. To dispose of a vehicle abandoned on your land, file the county's Application for Authority to Dispose; the owner then has 21 days to reclaim it.
After notice and a 21-day reclaim period, unclaimed vehicles are disposed of by a licensed tower or dismantler under a county-issued Certificate of Authority.
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See how Howard County's abandoned vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
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