Champaign County, IL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 3.2.B.2 of Champaign County's Public Nuisance Ordinance declares it a public nuisance to store an INOPERABLE VEHICLE, defined in Section 2.2 as any vehicle incapable of moving under its own power, being towed lawfully, or lacking a current valid license or registration, outside a FULLY ENCLOSED BUILDING anywhere in the unincorporated county, except as allowed under Section 3.3. Section 3.3.B carves out a residential exemption for no more than one inoperable vehicle if it weighs less than 8,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, remains capable of being licensed for operation on a public street, is fully intact on the exterior (all wheels, inflated tires, body parts, windows, bumpers, grills and exterior lights present), sits no less than five feet from any lot line on a driveway or behind a Type C screen under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.3.3G, and is the only inoperable vehicle stored outside on that lot other than farm vehicles.

Section 3.3.C sets a parallel, stricter non-residential exemption requiring a Type D screen and full exterior integrity but no weight cap. Section 3.3.D lets a vehicle awaiting repair sit outside a licensed repair shop or rural home occupation for up to 30 days, and Section 3.3.E allows up to six inoperable farm vehicles or pieces of equipment if screened or set back 100 feet. Vehicles that fail these tests are treated the same as any other nuisance: the Zoning Administrator or Sheriff issues a notice of violation with at least 15 days to correct it (Section 4.3.D), a person can settle by paying the $100 minimum fine (Section 6.3), and unresolved cases go to the State's Attorney for a court fine of $100 to $500 per offense on a first conviction, $200 to $500 on later ones, with each day counted separately (Sections 6.1.B, 6.4).