Portage County, WI Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 2.6.1 defines a covered vehicle broadly to include automobiles, bicycles, ATVs, mopeds, motor buses, road tractors and trailers, but specifically excludes snowmobiles. Section 2.6.2 presumes a vehicle abandoned once it sits unattended more than 48 hours without permission from the property owner or the Sheriff, or if other signs of abandonment appear. The Portage County Sheriff impounds violating vehicles at a designated storage site under Section 2.6.3, though removing a vehicle from private property still requires either the property owner's consent or a court order.

Section 2.6.4 lets the Sheriff junk or sell a vehicle early, before the standard holding period runs, if towing and storage costs would exceed its value and it is confirmed not stolen or needed as evidence. Otherwise the vehicle must sit in storage at least ten days after certified mail notice goes to the owner and any lienholder describing the vehicle and the right to reclaim it; failing to respond waives all rights in the vehicle and consents to its sale by sealed bid, with the highest bid accepted unless the Sheriff deems it inadequate.

Sale proceeds pay county charges first, then any lienholder, then any forfeiture or costs, with any remainder going to the owner. Within five days of a sale or disposal, the Sheriff must notify the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles, per Section 2.6.5. The Sheriff's Department enforces the chapter using the procedures set out in Wis. Stats. §§ 345.20 through 345.33, per Section 2.6.7.