Kingsport, TN Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Penalty per conviction
- $10.00 to $50.00
- Continuing violation
- Each act and each day is a separate offense
- Tenant cure window
- Owner has five days after receiving the notice
- Inoperable test
- Includes not moved under its own power in fifteen days
- Enclosure exemption
- Four walls and a roof, not visible, code compliant
- Other remedies
- Abatement of the nuisance or injunctive relief
Summary
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, Sec. 38-34 makes it unlawful to park, keep or store an inoperable, unlicensed or worthless vehicle, or one in major disassembly, on private property or a vacant lot, and declares the act a nuisance. A conviction carries a penalty of $10.00 to $50.00, and each act and each day is a separate offense.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to park, keep, store, permit, suffer, or allow the accumulation of any inoperable vehicle, unlicensed motor vehicle, worthless vehicle or parts thereof, or allow any vehicle at any time to be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or which is in the process of being stripped, dismantled, or painted upon any private property or vacant lot owned, occupied or under the control of such person and any such act is declared a nuisance. ... (d)Every person convicted of a violation of any provision of this section shall be punished by a penalty of not less than $10.00 nor more than $50.00. Each act of violation and each day upon which any such violation shall occur shall constitute a separate offense. In addition to the penalty prescribed herein, the city may pursue other remedies at law or equity, including, but not limited to abatement of nuisances or injunctive relief.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 38-34 was retitled from "Abandoned vehicles" to "Declaration of nuisance; defenses" by Ord. No. 6742 on July 17, 2018. It bars parking, keeping, storing or allowing the accumulation of any inoperable vehicle, unlicensed motor vehicle, worthless vehicle or parts thereof, and any vehicle in a state of major disassembly or disrepair or in the process of being stripped, dismantled or painted, on private property or a vacant lot the person owns, occupies or controls.
Sec. 38-19 defines an inoperable vehicle by ten characteristics, and one is enough: lacks major or essential mechanical or body parts; is junked or partially disassembled; has been burned or flooded throughout; cannot be driven legally on public streets; is incapable of moving under its own power; does not comply with state registration law; has one or more tires missing or not fully inflated; has more than one broken window; is economically impracticable to restore; or has not moved under its own power in fifteen days.
Tenants get a defense in Sec. 38-34(b). An occupant who is not the owner is not penalized if, after written notice from the city manager or designee, the occupant passes the notice to the owner and the owner cures the nuisance within five days. If the notice is ignored, both owner and occupant are guilty on conviction.
Sec. 38-34(c) exempts two situations. One is a vehicle not visible from the street or other property because it is completely enclosed within a permanent or portable building with four walls and a roof that complies with the gas, plumbing, electrical, zoning, mechanical and building codes. The other is a vehicle held for a business enterprise licensed by the City and properly operated in the appropriate zone, when storing or parking it is necessary to the business.
Sec. 22-558 adds a residential rule enforced by the building official: the owner or occupant of a residential property cannot use the premises for open storage of any abandoned motor vehicle and must remove such items upon notice.
Violations & Fines
Every person convicted under Sec. 38-34 is punished by a penalty of not less than $10.00 nor more than $50.00. Each act of violation and each day a violation occurs is a separate offense. On top of that penalty, the City can pursue other remedies at law or equity, including abatement of the nuisance and injunctive relief. Special code enforcement officers in development services can issue a summons for nuisance and property maintenance violations under Sec. 2-264(6).
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a vehicle inoperable in Kingsport?
Can I keep a project car on my property in Kingsport?
Is a tenant penalized for the owner's junk vehicle?
Does the rule cover work vehicles kept for a business?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kingsport
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