Butte County, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Local code
- Butte County Code Chapter 14, Article XII
- State authority
- CVC §§22660-22669; §22710 (service authority)
- Enforcement
- Butte County Code Enforcement (Code Case Type: AVA)
- Service authority members
- Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville, Paradise, and Butte County
Summary
The accumulation of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles on private or public property in unincorporated Butte County is declared a public nuisance under Butte County Code Chapter 14, Article XII, and is abated through the multi-jurisdictional Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (AVA) Service Authority established under California Vehicle Code Section 22710.
Any peace officer, or any other employee of the state, a county, or a city designated by an agency or a department of the state or by the board of supervisors of the county or by the city council, in which the vehicle is located, in whose territorial limits the vehicle is located, may remove the vehicle from a highway or from public or private property, after a determination by the peace officer or designated employee that a vehicle has been abandoned on the highway or on public or private property... Any vehicle which is parked, resting, or otherwise immobilized on any highway or public property and which lacks an engine, transmission, wheels, tires, doors, windshield, or any other part or equipment necessary to operate safely the vehicle on the highways of this state, is hereby declared a hazard to public health, safety, and welfare and may be removed immediately upon discovery.
Full Breakdown
Butte County Code Chapter 14, Article XII addresses Abandoned, Wrecked, Dismantled or Inoperative Vehicles. " Enforcement is carried out by Butte County Code Enforcement under the named code case type "AVA" (Abandoned Vehicle Abatement). Abatement procedures follow California Vehicle Code Sections 22660-22669 (state authorization for local abatement programs) and CVC 22710 (which created service authorities). The Butte County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority is a joint body comprising representatives of the cities of Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville, the Town of Paradise, and a County representative, and meets twice a year.
Stored RVs and boats in residential zones may not be stored in a wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative condition under Sec. 24-74(D). Complaints about public-road abandoned vehicles may be filed online or via Form DCE-6.
Violations & Fines
Vehicles meeting the abandoned/wrecked/dismantled/inoperative criteria can be declared a public nuisance, towed at the owner's expense, and have the cost recorded as a lien against the property. Under CVC Section 22669, peace officers and designated employees may remove a vehicle when there are reasonable grounds to believe it has been abandoned; vehicles "which lack an engine, transmission, wheels, tires, doors, windshield, or any other part or equipment necessary to operate safely" are declared hazardous and may be removed immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a vehicle "abandoned" under Butte County code?
How do I report an abandoned vehicle in unincorporated Butte County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Butte County
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