City of Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 9.28 (Abandoned, Wrecked and Inoperative Vehicles) makes it unlawful to keep an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle — or parts — on public or private property visible from a public right-of-way. Vehicles parked on the street over 72 hours are also subject to removal under Cal. Veh. Code §22651(k).
RMC Chapter 9.28 declares such vehicles a public nuisance and authorizes abatement by the city. The Code Enforcement Division investigates complaints; a written notice of intention to abate is served on the property owner and last registered/legal vehicle owner, who have an opportunity for a hearing. If the nuisance is not removed within the notice period, the city may enter the property and remove the vehicle at the owner's expense. For street-located abandoned vehicles, the city follows Cal. Veh. Code §22651(k) (72-hour storage) and §22669 (abandoned vehicle removal). Riverside County also operates a 'Junk Your Clunker' program enabling no-cost removal of inoperative vehicles from private property.
Costs of abatement (towing, storage, dismantling) become a special assessment and lien on the property if unpaid, per Cal. Gov. Code §38773.5 as adopted by the city. Owners can also face administrative citations under RMC Title 1 with progressive fines ($100 / $200 / $500). Vehicles on public streets are towed and impounded; recovery requires payment of citation, tow, and storage fees.
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