Lucas County, OH Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- ORC 4513.60–4513.65
- Junk-vehicle test
- 48h, 3+ yrs, damaged, ≤$1,500
- County enforcer
- Lucas County Sheriff
- Complaint tow
- 4 hours on private residential (4513.60)
- Penalty
- Minor misdemeanor (4513.65)
Summary
Abandoned junk motor vehicles are governed statewide by Ohio law, enforceable by the Lucas County Sheriff. Under ORC 4513.63 a vehicle is an abandoned junk motor vehicle if left 48+ hours, three or more years old, extensively damaged, apparently inoperable, and worth $1,500 or less.
"Abandoned junk motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle... left on private property for forty-eight hours or longer without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property... that is three years old, or older; extensively damaged...; apparently inoperable; and having a fair market value of one thousand five hundred dollars or less.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
This is the one parking topic where Lucas County has clear, quotable authority. The Lucas County Sheriff (and any township or city police within their jurisdiction) may act under ORC 4513.60–4513.65. A vehicle left on private property 48 hours or more without permission that meets the age, damage, inoperability and low-value tests in ORC 4513.63 is an 'abandoned junk motor vehicle' and may be photographed, recorded, and disposed of after certified notice to the owner. Separately, ORC 4513.60 lets the sheriff, on complaint of an adversely affected person, tow a vehicle left on private residential or agricultural property for at least four hours without permission.
Violations & Fines
Willfully leaving a junk motor vehicle uncovered in the open more than ten days after notice is a minor misdemeanor (ORC 4513.65); vehicle may be towed and scrapped after 10-day certified notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an abandoned junk vehicle in Ohio?
Can the sheriff tow a car off my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lucas County
Compare Lucas County to another location·View the Ohio parking rules overview
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