North Hempstead, NY Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 42 of the Uniform Traffic Code of the Town of North Hempstead defines an abandoned vehicle two ways: a vehicle left unattended with no license plates affixed on any public street, highway or other public place, or a vehicle with plates affixed that has been parked illegally for more than four consecutive days. No person may cause a vehicle to become abandoned under either definition, and the code creates a rebuttable presumption that the vehicle's owner caused the abandonment, shifting the burden to the owner to prove otherwise.

A conviction is a fine of not less than $150 nor more than $1,000. "Owner" is defined broadly to include anyone holding title, any registrant or coregistrant with the Department of Motor Vehicles of New York or any other jurisdiction, and any beneficial or equitable owner, so a lender or leaseholder can be pursued along with the titled owner. The last owner of an abandoned vehicle is separately liable to the Town of North Hempstead for the costs of removing it. Sections 38 through 41 give the appropriate authority power to remove any vehicle abandoned on a public street, highway or parking lot, and to store it at the owner's expense; a commercial vehicle left in violation of any Traffic Code parking provision for more than 48 consecutive hours can instead be immobilized on-site, with a $250 charge for each 24-hour period the device remains attached, once a summons has already been issued at least 24 hours earlier. Disposal of abandoned vehicles follows Chapter 40A of the Town Code, and removal is reported to the Town Clerk.