Franklin County, OH Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Public Property
- 48 hours = abandoned
- Private Property
- 72 hours unauthorized
- Impound
- 150 dollars base
- Storage
- 25 dollars per day
- Auction
- After 30 days
Summary
Franklin County follows ORC §4513.60 and §4513.61 for abandoned vehicles. Vehicles left on public property over 48 hours or private property without consent over 72 hours may be towed. Columbus Code §2335 allows impoundment after 72 hours on streets.
Section 4513.60 | Vehicle left on private residential or private agricultural property without the permission of person having right to possession of property. (A)(1) The sheriff of a county or chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, or township or joint police district, within the sheriff's or chief's respective territorial jurisdiction, upon complaint of any person adversely affected, may order into storage any motor vehicle, other than an abandoned junk motor vehicle as defined in section 4513.63 of the Revised Code, that has been left on private residential or private agricultural property for at least four hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property. The sheriff or chief, upon complaint of a repair garage or place of storage, may order into storage any motor vehicle, other than an abandoned junk motor vehicle, that has been left at the garage or place of storage for a longer period than that agreed upon. When ordering a motor vehicle into storage pursuant to this division, a sheriff or chief may arrange for the removal of the motor vehicle by a towing service and shall designate a storage facility.
(2) A towing service towing a motor vehicle under division (A)(1) of this section shall remove the motor vehicle in accordance with that division. The towing service shall deliver the motor vehicle to the location designated by the sheriff or chief not more than two hours after the time it is removed from the private property, unless the towing service is unable to deliver the motor vehicle within two hours due to an uncontrollable force, natural disaster, or other event that is not within the power of the towing service. (D)(3) If a motor vehicle that is ordered into storage pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section remains unclaimed by the owner for thirty days, the procedures established by sections 4513.61 and 4513.62 of the Revised Code apply.
Full Breakdown
Under ORC §4513.60, any vehicle left on public streets for more than 48 hours is considered abandoned junk and subject to removal. Private property owners may request tow after 72 hours of unauthorized parking. Columbus Code §2335.04 authorizes police to tag, tow, and impound vehicles. Impound fees start at 150 dollars plus 25 dollars per day storage. Vehicles unclaimed after 30 days go to Franklin County Sheriff auction. Vehicles with expired plates over 60 days treated as abandoned even on private property.
Violations & Fines
Abandonment on public street: vehicle towed, 150 dollar impound, 25 dollars daily storage, 75 dollar citation to registered owner. Junk vehicle on residential lot: 250 dollar zoning fine plus 30 days to remove.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a car sit on the street without moving?
Can I keep an inoperable car in my driveway?
Sources & Official References
- [1]ORC 4513.60
Other rules in Franklin County
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