Josephine County, OR Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Where it applies
- Inside Grants Pass or Cave Junction UGB
- Duration trigger
- More than 10 consecutive days
- Exceptions
- Enclosed, hidden, or zoned business use
- Court penalty
- Up to $500 within 30 days
- Enforcing agency
- County Environmental Health Department
Summary
On unincorporated land inside the Grants Pass or Cave Junction urban growth boundary, keeping an inoperable or wrecked motor vehicle unenclosed and visible for more than 10 consecutive days is a nuisance under § 8.10.060, unless it is enclosed, hidden from view, or part of a zoned business.
It is unlawful for any person who is the owner, or in charge, of private real property within the UGB to keep, wreck, store or allow to remain thereon any inoperable or wrecked motor vehicle, or part thereof, unless the same is completely enclosed within a building or so located as not to be visible from any public place or from private property, or unless it is on such private real property as a necessary part of a business enterprise, properly operated in the appropriate business zone, pursuant to the zoning laws of the County. For the purpose of this section, if an inoperable or wrecked motor vehicle or part thereof is permitted to remain upon property for longer than 10 consecutive days without being removed therefrom it shall be deemed to have been kept, stored or allowed to remain thereon. The conditions described in this section also constitute a nuisance.
Full Breakdown
050 that reaches automotive parts anywhere visible from a road. It makes it unlawful for an owner or person in charge of private property inside the urban growth boundary to keep, wreck, or store an inoperable or wrecked motor vehicle, or any part of one, unless it is completely enclosed in a building, positioned so it cannot be seen from any public place or private property, or kept as a necessary part of a properly zoned business. 030 to include anything discarded, dismantled, stripped, rusted, junked, unlicensed, or no longer safely usable for its manufactured purpose.
060 sets a bright-line duration test: a vehicle left on the property for more than 10 consecutive days without removal is deemed to have been 'kept, stored or allowed to remain,' triggering the violation even if the owner intends to move it eventually. 120). 050 reaches visible wreckage there.
Violations & Fines
Keeping an inoperable or wrecked vehicle visible on UGB property for more than 10 days violates § 8.10.060 and is a nuisance. Following the standard Chapter 8.10 process, an unresolved abatement letter can escalate to a Hearings Officer abatement order or a court judgment of up to $500 within 30 days, with the responsible owner, buyer, or tenant liable for County abatement costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a wrecked car sit on my property in the Grants Pass UGB?
Does this rule apply everywhere in unincorporated Josephine County?
How can I legally keep a non-running vehicle on my UGB property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Josephine County
Compare Josephine County to another location·View the Oregon parking rules overview
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