Passaic, NJ Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

City Code § 293-3 makes it unlawful for any person in charge or control of property in Passaic, owner, tenant, lessee or occupant, to place, deposit, store, leave or keep any abandoned, discarded, wrecked, junked, dismantled or partially dismantled vehicle on that property, or to allow one to remain there. The chapter defines a covered vehicle broadly, reaching any motor vehicle that is mechanically inoperative and left without the property owner's consent, or found without one or more tires. Four exceptions apply: vehicles kept inside an enclosed building, garage, barn or shed; vehicles necessary to a lawfully operated business enterprise; vehicles in a City-maintained storage depository; and vehicles kept by an individual at that individual's own principal residence, provided the owner brings the property into compliance within 15 days of receiving notice under the section.

A companion provision, § 293-2, separately bars abandoning any motor vehicle, junk automobile or junk automobile body on City-, school-, county- or state-owned property. Enforcement runs through § 293-4: the Chief of Police or any Division of Police officer may remove any vehicle that reasonably appears to violate the chapter or appears lost, stolen or unclaimed, holding it until lawfully claimed or disposed of under state law. Under § 293-5, the property owner and any tenant, lessee or occupant are jointly and severally liable for the City's removal and impoundment costs; unpaid costs become a lien on the property and are added to and collected with the property taxes. 1A(12) sets a $47 penalty specifically for abandoned cars kept on private areas, cross-referencing § 293-3 by section number.