Katy, TX Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Inoperability presumption
- 45 days unmoved
- Notice period
- At least 10 days
- Owner duty
- Keep property junk-free
- Court remedy
- Mandatory abatement order
Summary
Katy's nuisance code requires owners to keep property free of junked vehicles and authorizes police to impound abandoned vehicles, with a 45-day inoperability test and mandatory abatement orders.
Sec. 683.002. ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, a motor vehicle is abandoned if the motor vehicle:(1) is inoperable, is more than five years old, and has been left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours;(2) has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours;(3) has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in charge of the property for more than 48 hours;(4) has been left unattended on the right-of-way of a designated county, state, or federal highway for more than 48 hours;(5) has been left unattended for more than 24 hours on the right-of-way of a turnpike project constructed and maintained by the Texas Turnpike Authority division of the Texas Department of Transportation or a controlled access
Full Breakdown
Article 8.06 of Katy's Code of Ordinances, including divisions on abandoned and junked vehicles, allows the police department to take custody of abandoned motor vehicles found on public or private property. Owners and occupants must keep their real property free of junked vehicles. Evidence that a vehicle in public view has not moved under its own power for 45 days or more constitutes prima facie proof the vehicle is inoperative and a public nuisance. Notice procedures provide at least 10 days for owners to respond before disposal.
Violations & Fines
Each day of violation may be charged as a separate misdemeanor; the municipal court must order removal and abatement, and impound and storage costs are billed to the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Katy consider my vehicle junked?
What happens to abandoned vehicles in Katy?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Katy
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fort Bend County handle abandoned vehicles.