In unincorporated Polk County, no distressed or abandoned vehicle (or vehicle body/frame/part) may be kept on residential property unless it is inside a fully enclosed garage or building. One may sit in the rear yard only if fully screened and 5+ feet from property lines.
LDC Sec. 217 prohibits parking distressed or abandoned vehicles, or storing a vehicle frame, body, or body part, on residentially used property except in a completely enclosed garage or building. The single exception: one distressed/abandoned vehicle or component may be stored in the rear yard if kept at least five feet from any side or rear property line and completely screened from view of neighboring homes. Sheet metal and tarpaulins do not count as acceptable screening. Florida law (FS 715.07) separately governs towing of vehicles abandoned on private property, and FS 705.103 covers vehicles abandoned on public property.
Code Enforcement handles complaints through the Special Magistrate process; inoperable/junk vehicles are a recognized nuisance and can bring daily fines until removed or enclosed.
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