Madera County, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Madera County has a detailed abandoned-vehicle program in Title 10, Chapter 10.34, adopted under the authority of California Vehicle Code Section 22660. Section 10.34.060 makes it unlawful to abandon, store, or leave any licensed or unlicensed vehicle, or parts, that is abandoned, dismantled, inoperative, or wrecked on public or private property, including highways, for more than 72 consecutive hours, with limited exceptions: the vehicle is inside a completely enclosed structure; it is connected with a licensed dealer, wrecking, dismantling, or junk business; or it is within a screened area not exceeding 200 square feet (Section 10.34.030 also exempts vehicles behind a solid wall or fence at least eight feet high, not visible from the street). Enforcement is shared by the Code Enforcement Division, the Madera County Sheriff, and the California Highway Patrol (Section 10.34.050). The abatement process under Section 10.34.070 requires personal service or certified mail of a 10-day notice of intention to abate to both the landowner and the vehicle owner. The recipient may request a public hearing before a neutral hearing officer within 10 days (Section 10.34.080). If no hearing is requested or the nuisance is upheld, the vehicle may be removed and disposed of five days after the order (Section 10.34.090). Unpaid administrative and removal costs are assessed against the parcel under Government Code Section 25845 with tax-lien priority. Each day of violation is a separate offense.