Miami, FL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Time limit
- 24 hours max for storage/junkage on street
- Governing section
- City Code § 35-10(a)(5)
- Enforcement
- Code inspectors or DOSP/Miami Parking Authority
- Max general penalty
- $500 fine and/or 60 days jail
- Pound storage fee
- $8.00/day for passenger vehicles
Summary
Miami prohibits parking any vehicle on a street or within the public right-of-way for storage, junkage, or dead storage beyond 24 hours, and city code inspectors or Off-Street Parking enforcement specialists can cite the owner or have it towed.
(a)No person shall park a vehicle upon any street or within the public right-of-way for the principal purpose of:(1)Displaying such vehicle for sale.(2)Washing, greasing or repairing such vehicle, except repairs necessitated by an emergency.(3)Displaying advertising.(4)Selling merchandise from such vehicle, except in a duly established marketplace, or when so authorized or licensed under this Code or other ordinances of the city.(5)Storage, or as junkage or dead storage for more than 24 hours.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 | Ordinance 11000 (Previous Zoning Code): Supplement 22 | Miami 21 (Zoning Code): ?).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 35-10(a)(5) bars parking a vehicle on any street or within the public right-of-way for storage, or as junkage or dead storage, for more than 24 hours: one of several prohibited parking purposes listed alongside displaying a vehicle for sale, washing or repairing it, and selling merchandise from it. Enforcement runs through city personnel under §§ 2-813–2-814's civil citation procedure or through enforcement specialists from the Department of Off-Street Parking (Miami Parking Authority), acting under Fla. Stat. § 316.640(3)(c). A towed vehicle is held at the city auto pound, where storage runs $6.00/day for motorcycles, $8.00/day for passenger vehicles, and $10.50/day for trucks under § 35-37.
Violations & Fines
Violating any Chapter 35 parking rule with no specific fine set carries up to a $500 fine and/or 60 days in jail under § 1-13, with each day a separate offense; towed vehicles also owe pound storage fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Miami tow a car that's been parked on my street for weeks?
Does this rule cover junk cars parked on private property in Miami?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami to another location·View the Florida parking rules overview
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle abandoned vehicles.