National City, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Chapter 11.48 implements CVC Section 22660. The council found that storing abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles or parts reduces property values, promotes blight, invites plundering, creates fire hazards, becomes an attractive nuisance for minors and harbors rodents and insects. The chapter covers private or public property but not highways, and it defines highway to include a street. It does not apply to a vehicle completely enclosed within a building or behind a solid fence in a lawful manner where it is not visible from the street or other property, or to a vehicle stored lawfully in connection with a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer or junk dealer business (§ 11.48.030).

The Director of Community Development administers the chapter and can enter public or private property to examine a vehicle and remove it (§ 11.48.050). Before removal, § 11.48.090 requires a ten-day notice of intention to abate, mailed by registered or certified mail to the owner of the land, as shown on the last equalized assessment roll, and to the last registered and legal owner of the vehicle, unless identification numbers are unavailable. Either owner can request a public hearing within ten days. A sworn written statement denying responsibility is treated as a hearing request. The city council hears the case under § 11.48.110, can delay removal, and cannot assess costs against a land owner if the vehicle was placed on the land without consent and the owner has not since acquiesced.

After an order, § 11.48.120 allows disposal at a scrapyard or dismantler five days later, and a removed vehicle cannot be reconstructed unless it qualifies for horseless carriage or historical vehicle plates under CVC Section 5004. Notice goes to the Department of Motor Vehicles within five days of removal (§ 11.48.130).