Otero County, NM Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Inoperative threshold
- 120+ continuous days = junked vehicle
- Abandoned threshold
- left unattended 30+ days
- Removal deadline
- 20 days after court date
- First/second fine
- $100 to $300, $100 not suspendable
- Repeat offender
- $300+ fine, up to 90 days jail
- Enforcing agency
- Otero County Sheriff / Code Enforcement
Summary
In unincorporated Otero County it is unlawful under County Code Chapter 220 to store, keep or maintain any junked vehicle anywhere on public or private property. A vehicle inoperative 120+ days, unlicensed, or wrecked counts as junked; one abandoned 30+ days on any property with no owner found also qualifies. The Sheriff or Code Enforcement cites violators to Magistrate Court.
§ 220-3. Public nuisance. ... B. In view of these findings and determinations, the Otero County Board of County Commissioners hereby declares the above-described junked vehicles to be public nuisances and further declares that it shall be unlawful to store, keep or maintain any junked vehicle in Otero County. ... § 220-13. Penalty. Any person found to be in violation of this chapter is subject, in addition to the duty to abate the nuisance, to the penalties as follows: A. Upon the first or second violation of this chapter the offender shall be sentenced to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $300. The minimum fine of $100 may not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement. ... C. After four violations in a 12-month period, an offender may be charged as an aggravated offender and shall be sentenced to a fine of not less than $300, which may not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement and may also be sentenced to imprisonment for up to 90 days.
Full Breakdown
Otero County Code § 220-3 declares junked vehicles visible from any public place, right-of-way, park or business open to the public a public nuisance and makes it unlawful to store, keep or maintain any junked vehicle in the county. A JUNKED VEHICLE (§ 220-2) is one that is dilapidated or abandoned, inoperable, has been continuously inoperative for at least 120 days, lacks a valid unexpired license plate, or fails minimum safety standards; an ABANDONED VEHICLE is one a New Mexico law enforcement agency finds left unattended at least 30 days, not reported stolen, and unclaimed.
A resident within one mile of the violation, or the district County Commissioner, may report it to the Sheriff or a Code Enforcement Officer, who investigates and may issue a citation to Magistrate Court under § 220-4. If the occupant does not remove the vehicle within 20 days of the court appearance, the county may remove it with the occupant's written consent (§ 220-6) or, absent consent, remove it anyway at the occupant's expense while the County Attorney pursues a criminal complaint or a District Court order under NMSA 1978 § 30-8-8 (§ 220-7).
Section 220-11 exempts vehicles fully enclosed in a building, dealer/dismantler stock lawfully stored, screened historical/special-interest vehicles registered with a collector, drag-strip racing vehicles, and vehicles owned by active-duty service members stationed outside the county.
Violations & Fines
Under § 220-13, a first or second violation draws a fine of $100 to $300, with the $100 minimum unable to be suspended or deferred. A third or later violation carries a fine of at least $300 that also cannot be suspended. After four violations in 12 months the offender may be charged as an aggravated offender, facing a fine of at least $300 plus up to 90 days' imprisonment. The county may also seek an injunction or restraining order to force abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a junked vehicle in my yard in unincorporated Otero County?
How long do I have to remove a junked vehicle after being cited?
Is there a fine for a junked vehicle in Otero County?
Are any vehicles exempt from the junked vehicle rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Otero County
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