New Orleans, LA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Abandoned threshold (public/city property)
- more than 3 days
- Abandoned threshold (private, no consent)
- 24 hrs if inoperable, else 3 days
- Illegally parked vehicle
- qualifies immediately
- Notice before towing
- 48 hours (§66-105)
- No-notice towing
- traffic obstruction or safety hazard
- Probable-cause hearing
- within 72 hours of request
- Private-property removal request fee
- $100
Summary
New Orleans defines an "abandoned vehicle" under City Code § 66-102 as one illegally parked, left inoperable and unattended on public property for more than three days, left on private property without the owner's consent for more than 24 hours if inoperable (three days otherwise), or left on city property for more than three days. Section 66-103 makes abandonment unlawful and authorizes the police department to order removal.
Sec. 66-102(a) Abandoned vehicle. An abandoned vehicle is a motor vehicle that is: (1)Left upon a public street or highway in violation of a law or ordinance prohibiting parking; or (2)Inoperable and is left unattended on public property for more than three days ... or that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than 24 hours; or (3)Left on property owned or operated by the city for a period of more than three days; or (4)Left on private property without the consent of the owner, person in control of the property, occupant or lessee thereof for more than three days. Sec. 66-103. (a)It shall be unlawful for the registered owner or person entitled to possession of a vehicle to cause or allow such vehicle to be abandoned as the term is defined herein.(b)Upon investigation, the policing authority may determine that a vehicle is an abandoned vehicle and order the vehicle removed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 116 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 66, Article III governs abandoned and nuisance vehicles. Section 66-102 also defines a separate "nuisance vehicle" category enforced under the same article, one that harbors mosquitoes, rats or other pests, has weeds over eight inches, collects standing water or combustible clutter, has loose or falling parts, is unstable, collects garbage or animal waste, or has jagged/sharp exposed parts; §66-104 makes leaving a nuisance vehicle unlawful too. The police department administers the article and may contract private tow operators, with fees deposited into the general fund (§66-101).
Before towing, §66-105 requires posting notice on the vehicle at least 48 hours before a specified removal date, unless §66-106's exceptions apply, the vehicle is obstructing traffic, sits in a designated no-parking spot, or the policing authority finds a special need for prompt action such as blocked ingress/egress or a traffic hazard. S. 32:1711–1735 (§66-107). An owner may demand a probable-cause hearing, which must be held within 72 hours of the request (§66-109), and can redeem the vehicle at any stage by paying towing and storage fees or posting a bond for double that amount (§66-110).
Removing a vehicle from private property generally requires the owner, occupant or lessee's written request plus a $100 administrative fee (§66-112), unless the vehicle has already been declared a nuisance vehicle.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a vehicle abandoned under §66-102's definition is unlawful under §66-103(a); the police department, or a tow operator acting on its behalf, may remove it after posting 48-hour notice, or immediately without notice if it obstructs traffic or poses a safety hazard under §66-106. An owner can redeem a towed vehicle by paying towing and storage fees or posting a bond for double that amount, and may request a probable-cause hearing that must be held within 72 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a car sit before it's "abandoned" in New Orleans?
Does the city have to warn me before towing my car?
How do I get my towed vehicle back?
Can the city remove a vehicle from my own driveway?
Sources & Official References
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