Santa Cruz County, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Santa Cruz County Code Section 9.57.050 makes it unlawful to abandon a vehicle on a public highway or street. Under SCCC 9.57.020 an 'abandoned vehicle' is one left in such inoperable or neglected condition that the owner's intent to relinquish it may reasonably be concluded, or one left for 72 hours without being moved more than 1,000 feet that appears deserted. For an operable but deserted vehicle, SCCC 9.57.070 directs the Sheriff to wait for the 72-hour period, then issue a 10-day notice of intention to abate and remove before towing. SCCC 9.57.080 allows immediate removal, without the 10-day notice, of vehicles that lack an engine, transmission, wheels, tires, doors, or windshield and are declared a public-health hazard. After removal, SCCC 9.57.090 requires written notice to the registered and legal owners within 48 hours, with a right to a post-storage hearing. To recover a vehicle, SCCC 9.57.110 requires the owner to pay removal costs plus an administrative fee of $50.00 (or the Unified Fee Schedule amount, whichever is greater), plus storage paid directly to the tow company. SCCC 9.57.060 presumes the last registered owner is responsible. The chapter rests on California Vehicle Code Sections 22669 and 22651.