Petaluma, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

64, Abandoned Vehicles, is adopted under the authority Vehicle Code Section 22660 grants cities to remove abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles as public nuisances. 020 declares that the accumulation of such vehicles on private or public property, not including highways, reduces property values, promotes blight, invites plundering, creates fire hazards and an attractive nuisance to minors, and harbors rodents and insects, and it declares their presence a public nuisance subject to abatement under the chapter. 030 defines the chapter's key terms, including that 'public property' excludes 'highway' and that 'vehicle' means a device propelling or moving persons or property on a highway other than a human-powered device or one running exclusively on stationary rails.

040 exempts two categories: a vehicle completely enclosed in a building and not visible from the street or other property, and a vehicle lawfully stored on private property in connection with a licensed dismantler's, dealer's, or junk dealer's business, or otherwise necessary to a lawfully conducted commercial enterprise. 060 assigns enforcement to the chief of police, who along with deputies may enter private or public property to examine or remove a nuisance vehicle. 090 gives the chief of police authority to abate and remove a vehicle once discovered. 170 before removal proceeds.