Lewis County, WA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- LCC 8.05
- Abandonment threshold
- 10 days plus 10 after notice
- Hearing venue
- Lewis County Hearing Examiner
- Hearing window
- 10 to 30 days after request
- Max fine
- $250 per day
- Max jail
- 90 days
- Enforcing agency
- Lewis County Sheriff
Summary
Under LCC § 8.05.040, it is unlawful to place or leave a vehicle or "vehicle hulk" on someone else's private land in unincorporated Lewis County without consent. A hulk kept on your own property must be fully enclosed within a building or fence per § 8.05.070, or the Sheriff can pursue it as a public nuisance.
§ 8.05.040. Vehicle or vehicle hulk on private real property. It shall be unlawful for any person to place or leave any vehicle or vehicle hulk, or permit any vehicle or vehicle hulk registered in his name to be placed or left on private real property within the unincorporated area of Lewis County, owned or occupied by a person other than the vehicle owner, without the expressed or implied consent of the owner or occupant of the private real property. ... ... § 8.05.070. Keeping of vehicle hulk on private real property. It shall be unlawful for any person, as owner or occupant of private real property in the unincorporated area of Lewis County, to place, keep, or allow to remain, any vehicle hulk upon such private real property, unless: (1) Such vehicle hulk, or part thereof, is completely enclosed within a building or fence in a lawful manner and not visible from a public thoroughfare or other private real property; ... ... § 8.05.120. Violation - Penalty. Any person convicted of violating LCC § 8.05.040 through § 8.05.080, shall be subject to the penalties in LCC § 1.20.020 and § 1.20.040.
Full Breakdown
030). A vehicle on public property becomes "abandoned" after sitting 10 continuous days, then remaining another 10 days after the Sheriff's Office mails certified notice to the registered owner. 130. 080). 100). 110). If the property owner or registered owner did not consent to the vehicle's presence, the Examiner cannot assess abatement costs against them; otherwise towing, storage and disposal costs become a lien on the vehicle, redeemable before sale.
Violations & Fines
A first conviction under §§ 8.05.040 through 8.05.080 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $250 fine for every day the violation continues, or up to 90 days in the county jail, under LCC § 1.20.020(4) (RCW 36.32.120(7); RCW 9.92.030). The Sheriff can also impound and dispose of the vehicle at the owner's expense, with towing and storage costs forming a lien redeemable before sale under § 8.05.110.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an inoperable car on my own property in unincorporated Lewis County?
What happens if a stranger dumps a car on my land?
How long can a car sit on a public road before it's "abandoned" in Lewis County?
What's the penalty for leaving a vehicle hulk on private property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lewis County
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