Oklahoma City, OK Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- 72 hours on public or private land
- Process
- 10-day notice, then hearing
- Removal
- City may impound and sell vehicle
- Penalty
- Class B offense, up to $1,200
- Exemptions
- Enclosed, zoned-business, or antique vehicles
Summary
Any abandoned, wrecked, or junked vehicle left on public or private property in Oklahoma City for more than 72 hours is a public nuisance, subject to notice, a hearing, and city removal under Code § 35-37.
It shall be unlawful and an offense for any person to park, store, leave, or permit the parking, storing, or leaving of any vehicle of any kind which is in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, rusted, junked, or partially dismantled condition whether attended or not, upon any public or private property within the City for a period of time in excess of 72 hours. The presence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, rusted, junked or partially dismantled vehicle or parts thereof on private or public property is hereby declared a public nuisance which may be abated as such in accordance with the provisions of this article.(b)The provisions of Subsection (a) shall not apply to any vehicle enclosed within a building on private property or to any vehicle held in connection with a lawful business enterprise, and property operated in the appropriate zone, pursuant to the zoning ordinance or to any vehicle in operable condition specifically adopted or designed for operation on drag strips or raceways or any vehicle retained by the owner for antique collection purposes in a storage place in an enclosed building on private property maintained in a lawful place and manner. (Code 1970, § 21-168; Code 1980, § 35-37; Ord. No. 21187, § 1, 12-22-98; Ord. No. 21808, § 1, 9-5-01)
Cross reference— Zoning and planning code, Ch. 59.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Oklahoma City Code § 35-37 makes it unlawful to park, store, or leave any vehicle in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, rusted, or junked condition on public or private property for more than 72 hours, declaring it a public nuisance. The Director gives the property owner ten days' notice to abate, with a right to a hearing under § 35-41 before the City orders removal under § 35-42. Vehicles enclosed in a building, tied to a lawful zoned business, or antiques stored properly are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Violation is a Class "b" offense: fine up to $1,200 plus costs, or up to six months in jail; each day counts separately. The City may also impound, remove, and sell the vehicle, billing costs to the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a junked vehicle sit before it's illegal in Oklahoma City?
What happens if I don't remove a junk vehicle after notice?
Are any vehicles exempt from the OKC junk vehicle rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oklahoma City
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle abandoned vehicles.