Jessamine County, KY Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

The Jessamine County Fiscal Court handles abandoned and junked vehicles through Chapter 93, "Discarded and Abandoned Items." Section 93.01 defines DISCARDED ITEMS to include motor vehicles, boats, home appliances, furniture and equipment left in a dilapidated or apparently inoperable condition and discarded on private property for more than 7 consecutive days. The clock is 7 consecutive days, and the vehicle has to be both dilapidated or apparently inoperable and discarded.

Three exclusions appear in the definition. An item enclosed within a building or fence in a lawful manner is excluded. So is an item not visible from the street, road or public park. A third exclusion covers an item stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer or junk yard. The exception does not authorize the maintenance of a public or private nuisance as defined under other provisions of law.

Section 93.02(A) records the Fiscal Court's finding that allowing discarded items to remain on property is a detriment to the welfare and convenience of county residents, and declares them public nuisances. The section applies within the unincorporated area of the county and the City of Keene, which the section names. Under § 93.02(B), any law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe an owner, renter or occupant has allowed a discarded item to remain can issue a citation ordering the person to appear before the district court of Jessamine County.

Section 93.03 covers vehicles dumped by someone else: no person can place, leave, deposit or otherwise dispose of any discarded item on any private property or on any public property or right-of-way in the county. A property owner in the unincorporated area who finds an item disposed on the land can file a complaint with the County Sheriff or a Wilmore-Jessamine County Code Enforcement Official.

Separately, Chapter 71 lets the County Sheriff tow a vehicle at the owner's expense where illegal parking poses an immediate safety hazard, but that section lists only Corman Lane and is not an abandoned-vehicle rule.