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Benton County, AR Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Prohibited items
Junk vehicles, old tires, abandoned appliances
Where banned
Right-of-way, public property, others' private land
Exceptions
Salvage yards, permitted sites, demolishers
Maximum fine
$500.00, doubled for repeats
Continuing violation
Up to $250.00 per day
Informant reward
Half of fine collected

Summary

Benton County makes it a crime to place a junk motor vehicle, old tire or abandoned appliance on a public right-of-way, other public property, or private property you do not own, lease or control, unless it's a salvage yard, permitted disposal site or demolisher's business, per Sec. 30-28(a).

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Benton County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Sec. 30-27. Penalties. Every person convicted of a violation of any section of this article shall be subject to the penalties in section 1-9. In addition any violator may also be required to remove litter alongside highways and at other appropriate locations for any period prescribed by the judge. Sec. 30-28. Littering prohibited, exceptions. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to place or cause to be placed any junk motor vehicle, old vehicle tire or inoperative or abandoned household appliance or part thereof upon the right-of-way of any public highway, upon any other public property or upon any private property which he does not own, lease, rent or otherwise control, unless it is a salvage yard, a permitted disposal site or the business establishment of a demolisher.

Full Breakdown

Sec. " The article that houses this section, Chapter 30's littering article, defines "litter" broadly at Sec. 30-26 to include "trash, garbage, all other product packages or containers and other post-consumer solid wastes," but expressly excludes farm, logging, sawmill and mining process waste and anything already deposited in a proper receptacle. Sec. 30-29 requires the county judge to post signs around the county notifying the public of the article's terms, and Sec. 30-30 creates an evidentiary presumption: if litter, including a discarded vehicle part, is thrown, dumped or deposited from a moving vehicle, "it shall be prima facie evidence that the throwing, dumping or depositing was done by the driver," except from a motorbus.

A tipster has a financial incentive to report violations: Sec. 30-31 entitles "any person or organization providing information that leads to the conviction of a defendant under this article" to one-half of any fine collected, excluding court costs. The rule applies only in unincorporated Benton County; a junk vehicle parked inside Bentonville, Rogers, Siloam Springs, Bella Vista or Centerton falls under that city's own code, not this county section.

Violations & Fines

Sec. 30-27 subjects every conviction under the littering article, including a Sec. 30-28(a) junk-vehicle violation, to the general penalty in Sec. 1-9: a fine up to $500.00, doubled for each repeat offense, and up to $250.00 per day for a violation that continues. The judge may also order the violator to remove litter "alongside highways and at other appropriate locations for any period prescribed by the judge," beyond just paying the fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be fined for a junk car on my neighbor's land in Benton County?
Yes, if you placed it there. Sec. 30-28(a) bans placing a junk motor vehicle "upon any... private property which he does not own, lease, rent or otherwise control," unless the site is a salvage yard, a permitted disposal site or a demolisher's business establishment.
Does the county ban a junk car left on the owner's own property?
No. Sec. 30-28(a) only reaches vehicles placed on public property, a public right-of-way, or private property the person does not own, lease, rent or control. A separate unsanitary-property provision, not this section, covers junk left on land the owner controls.
What is the penalty for dumping a junk vehicle in Benton County?
Sec. 30-27 applies the county's general penalty, Sec. 1-9: up to $500.00 for a first conviction, doubled for repeat violations, and up to $250.00 per day if the dumped vehicle is left in place. The judge can also order the violator to clean up litter elsewhere.
Is there a reward for reporting illegal dumping of vehicles?
Yes. Sec. 30-31 entitles anyone whose information leads to a conviction under the littering article to one-half of any fine the court collects, not counting court costs, giving neighbors a direct financial incentive to report a dumped vehicle.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Benton County

All Benton County rules

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