Multnomah County, OR Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Sheriff and Health Officer
- Abatement notice period
- 30 days from written notice
- Admin surcharge if county abates
- 25% of abatement cost
- Citation
- MCC § 15.229(A)(13)
- Geographic reach
- Incorporated and unincorporated county
Summary
Leaving an inoperative, wrecked, discarded, or dismantled vehicle on private or public property, unless the property runs a licensed wrecking business, is a nuisance violation under the county's Nuisance Control Law, enforced by the Sheriff and Health Officer.
(13) Any abandoned vehicle upon private or public property unless the owner of the property is lawfully authorized to operate a business specifically for that purpose.
(14) Signs, hedges, shrubbery, natural growth or other obstructions at or near intersections which hinder the view necessary for the safe operation of vehicles.
(15) Obstruction to public sidewalks or roadways by trees, bushes, roots, other natural growth, soil or solid waste.
(16) Any excavation which endangers the lateral support or causes cracking, settling or other damage to streets, sidewalks or other public property.
(B) The enumeration of nuisances in division (A) of this section shall not limit the power of the health officer or Sheriff to investigate or declare any other condition a nuisance which is within the scope of § 15.226. Penalty, see § 15.999 (‘ 90 Code, § 7.20.060, 07/01/1998; Ord. 653, passed, 06/14/1990; Ord. 125, passed, 05/27/1976)
(S-1 2025)
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Multnomah County – Sheriff
Full Breakdown
Multnomah County Code § 15.226 defines ABANDONED VEHICLE as any vehicle that reasonably appears inoperative, wrecked, discarded, or dismantled. Section 15.229(A)(13) bans keeping one on private or public property unless the owner lawfully runs a wrecking business there. The Health Officer or Sheriff can inspect the property, issue written notice, and demand abatement within 30 days under § 15.230. Ignoring that notice makes the owner a violator under § 15.233; the county can then abate the vehicle itself, bill the owner plus a 25% surcharge, and record a lien under § 15.234. The Nuisance Control Law text covers both incorporated and unincorporated county, but Portland enforces its own code in practice.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a 30-day abatement notice is itself a violation and a county offense under ORS 203.810; the county can then abate the vehicle, bill the owner plus a 25% surcharge, and file a property lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Portland?
What counts as an abandoned vehicle?
What happens if the owner doesn't remove it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon parking rules overview
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