Howell, NJ Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Abandonment threshold
- More than 48 hours, or any period without current plates
- Notice before public-property removal
- At least seven days, § 7-25.4
- Private land notice to remove
- 10 days, § 232-8
- Who tows on public property
- Township Police Department
- Who pays towing and storage
- The vehicle owner
- Chapter 7 penalty
- Up to $50 or 15 days, or both
Summary
In Howell Township, a vehicle left on public property or on private property without consent for more than 48 hours, or for any period without current license plates, is an abandoned motor vehicle under § 7-25. The Police Department tows it after seven days' notice, and the owner pays towing and storage.
ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE A vehicle which has remained on or along the highway or other public property or upon private property without such consent for a period of more than 48 hours or for any period without current license plates. ... The Township Police Department is authorized to arrange for the towing of any such illegally parked inoperable or abandoned vehicles, and the owner of said vehicle shall remain liable for all towing and storage charges associated therewith. The Police Department shall provide notice of removal to such registered owner at least seven days prior to such removal, unless there is a public safety need to remove the vehicle immediately or no registered owner can be determined. ... A disabled vehicle is one that is unregistered or incapable of operation upon a public roadway.
Full Breakdown
Howell Township handles junked vehicles in two places. Chapter 7 covers streets and public property, and Chapter 232, Property Maintenance, covers private land.
Section 7-25, added 10-1-2024 by Ord. No. 24-37, defines an abandoned motor vehicle as one that has remained on or along the highway or other public property, or upon private property without consent, for more than 48 hours or for any period without current license plates. An inoperable vehicle is any vehicle that is unregistered, or that cannot move under its own power because of mechanical defects or inadequate equipment, including the lack of one or more tires, or that is partially dismantled or unfit for use on a public highway. Section 7-25.2 bars leaving, parking, keeping or storing any unregistered or inoperable motor vehicle, trailer, boat, recreational vehicle, heavy equipment or ATV on any public street, public property, right-of-way or highway in the Township. Section 7-25.3 makes it unlawful to abandon, keep, store or permit the storage of an inoperable vehicle on public property or public streets.
Under § 7-25.4, the Township Police Department can arrange towing, and the owner remains liable for all towing and storage charges. The Police Department gives the registered owner notice of removal at least seven days before removal, unless public safety requires immediate removal or no registered owner can be determined. Abandoned vehicles are impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of under the procedures in Chapter 306, Towing, § 306-19, or Title 39.
On private land, § 232-7 requires an owner or tenant to remove junk and disabled vehicles, defined as a vehicle that is unregistered or incapable of operation upon a public roadway. Under § 232-8, the Director of Public Works or the Code Enforcement Officer gives the owner 10 days after notice to remove it, and the Township removes it if the owner does not. Under § 232-9 the cost is certified to the Township Council and becomes a lien added to the next taxes on the land.
Violations & Fines
Violations of § 7-25 are subject to the penalties under § 7-13, which sets a penalty of not more than $50 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 days, or both, unless a New Jersey statute provides another penalty. A towed vehicle leaves the owner liable for towing and storage. On private land, unpaid removal costs under § 232-9 become a lien on the property, collected like taxes at the same interest rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a car sit before it counts as abandoned in Howell Township?
Will Howell Township warn me before towing an inoperable vehicle?
What if a junk car sits on private property in Howell Township?
Can I store a boat or trailer that does not run on a Howell Township street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howell
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle abandoned vehicles.