Littleton, CO Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Right-of-way notice period
- 72 hours
- Standard nuisance notice period
- 10 days minimum
- First violation civil penalty
- At least $100
- Third+ violation (12 mo.)
- At least $500
- Handled by
- Code compliance officer / police
- Citation
- Littleton City Code §§ 7-1-2, 7-1-3, 7-1-7
Summary
Littleton treats a derelict or unlicensed vehicle as a public nuisance whether it sits on private land or a public right-of-way. On the right-of-way, code compliance officers post a notice and give the owner only 72 hours to move it before the City tows it.
DERELICT VEHICLE OR UNLICENSED VEHICLE: Any vehicle not capable of being legally operated on the public streets under the motor vehicle laws of Colorado. It shall include all vehicles missing component parts such as, but not limited to, engines, transmissions, wheels, missing or broken windows and/or windshields. ... ... 3. Abandoned Vehicles. ... All abandoned vehicles shall be referred to the City of Littleton police department and handled in accordance with Title 6, Chapter 6 of this code. ... ... D. Abatement of Derelict/Unlicensed Vehicles on Public Right-of-Way. 1. Whenever a code compliance officer, or other authorized official, finds a derelict/unlicensed vehicle on public right-of-way, the officer shall issue a notice, which shall comply with Section 7-1-6, except that this notice shall: ... b. ... Include a correction order allowing at least seventy-two (72) hours for the responsible party to take necessary actions to abate the nuisance;
Full Breakdown
Littleton's nuisance chapter, City Code title 7, chapter 1, defines a "derelict vehicle or unlicensed vehicle" as one that cannot legally be driven on public streets under Colorado motor vehicle law, including a vehicle missing an engine, transmission, wheels, or windows, though a car legitimately modified for off-road hobby use, such as a stock-car racer or dune buggy, is excluded. 3 specifically routes abandoned vehicles to the Littleton police department for handling under Title 6, Chapter 6, the City's towing and impound chapter. For a derelict or unlicensed vehicle on the public right-of-way, section 7-1-7(D) sets a faster track than the standard nuisance process: a code compliance officer physically posts a notice on the vehicle itself, giving the responsible party at least 72 hours, rather than the 10 days allowed for most nuisances, to remove or fix it.
If the vehicle is still there when the 72 hours run out, the City has it abated, and because the notice is posted on the vehicle rather than mailed, any appeal of the towing decision is heard after the vehicle has already been removed rather than before.
Violations & Fines
A vehicle abandoned on private property is a nuisance violation under Code section 7-1-3, enforced through the notice, abatement and administrative civil penalty process in sections 7-1-6 through 7-1-8: penalties start at $100 for a first notice, rise to $250 for a second within 12 months, and reach $500 for a third, plus the City's abatement costs and attorneys' fees. A derelict vehicle left on the public right-of-way past the 72-hour posted notice is towed and impounded under Title 6, Chapter 6, with the registered owner billed for towing and storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Littleton resident get to remove an abandoned vehicle?
What counts as a derelict vehicle under Littleton's code?
What happens if a towed vehicle notice isn't resolved in time?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Littleton
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle abandoned vehicles.