Peoria, IL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Peoria's primary local provision is Peoria Code Chapter 28, Article XIII, Section 28-349 (Nuisance motor vehicles), which captures inoperable, wrecked, damaged, partially dismantled, or deteriorated vehicles left on private property in residential or commercial districts. The 30-day threshold for inoperability is measured from when the vehicle becomes inoperable or the deterioration becomes apparent, not from a complaint date. 'Enclosed from lateral view on all sides' means inside a garage, behind a solid 6-foot fence, or otherwise screened from public view — a tarp cover alone does not satisfy the screening exception. Code Enforcement Inspectors (309-494-8654) issue a Notice of Violation typically requiring abatement within 7-10 days. If the owner fails to act, the City may remove the vehicle through a towing contractor, place a special assessment for the cost on the property, and pursue collection. On public streets, the controlling law is the Illinois Vehicle Code at 625 ILCS 5/4-201 (definition of abandoned vehicle) and 625 ILCS 5/4-203 (procedure for tow of vehicles abandoned 7 days or more, or 24 hours if on a controlled-access highway, or 10 hours if blocking traffic). Peoria Police mark suspected abandoned street vehicles and may tow to the city impound after the statutory waiting period. Vehicles with expired registration over a year, no valid VIN/plate, or visible signs of long-term abandonment can be processed more quickly. Owners can reclaim impounded vehicles by paying tow, storage, and any administrative fees; unclaimed vehicles are sold at auction after notice under 625 ILCS 5/4-208.