New Haven, CT Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 18-40 defines an 'abandoned vehicle' as a motor vehicle that is apparently discarded or has a current market value of $100 or less, and an 'inoperable vehicle' as one so vandalized, damaged or in disrepair that it cannot be used as a motor vehicle. The 'enforcement officer' is the director of the Department of Public Works or a designee, and 'owner' means the property owner of record in the city's land records.

Subsection (b) bars any owner of land in New Haven from depositing, retaining or permitting an abandoned, inoperable or unregistered vehicle on that land for more than thirty (30) days, unless it is kept in a completely enclosed and secured area. The prohibition does not reach a licensed automobile repair, sales or junk-vehicle business operating in compliance with the city's zoning ordinance.

Enforcement follows a set process under subsection (c): on a complaint or credible information of a violation, the enforcement officer must personally inspect the site and determine in good faith whether a violation exists. If it does, the officer serves written notice on the property owner, in person or by mail, describing the violation and ordering correction, and publishes notice in a newspaper of substantial local circulation. The 30-day clock to remedy the violation runs from the date of that notice; failing to comply exposes the owner to a $100-per-day fine for each day the violation continues, plus any penalty available under Connecticut General Statutes.

Subsection (d) lets the chief of police direct listed municipal towers to remove abandoned vehicles necessary to preserve public safety and free access to city streets, charging a $5 city towing fee per vehicle under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-150, with DMV-set storage fees billed by the tower directly, not the city. Non-municipal-list towers must still follow Sections 29-107 through 29-118 and carry fire, theft and liability insurance approved by the Board of Police Commissioners. Anyone whose vehicle is towed under Sec. 18-40 has a right to a hearing under Section 29-119(c).