Shasta County, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Ordinance
- Shasta County Code Ch. 10.04
- Abandoned definition
- 120+ consecutive hours on a highway (Sec. 10.04.020)
- Pre-removal notice
- 10-day notice of intention to abate (Sec. 10.04.060)
- Administering agency
- Shasta County Sheriff (Sec. 10.04.040)
- Cost recovery
- Assessed against parcel as tax lien (Sec. 10.04.110)
- State authority
- California Vehicle Code Sec. 22660
Summary
Shasta County Code Chapter 10.04 declares abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles on public or private property a public nuisance. A vehicle left on a highway for 120 or more consecutive hours is 'abandoned.' The Sheriff administers abatement, with a 10-day notice, hearing rights, and cost recovery against the property.
(a) Any peace officer, or any other employee of the state, county, or city designated by an agency or department of the state or the board of supervisors or city council of the county or city in whose jurisdiction the vehicle is located to perform this function, in the territorial limits in which the officer or employee is authorized to act, who has reasonable grounds to believe that the vehicle has been abandoned, as determined pursuant to Section 22523, may remove the vehicle from a highway or from public or private property.
Full Breakdown
Adopted under California Vehicle Code Section 22660, Chapter 10.04 is the county's abandoned-vehicle abatement ordinance for the unincorporated area. Code Section 10.04.010 declares that accumulating abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles or parts creates blight, fire hazards, and a public nuisance that may be abated. Code Section 10.04.020 defines an 'abandoned vehicle' to include any vehicle parked or left standing upon a highway for 120 or more consecutive hours. The chapter does not apply to a vehicle that is not visible from the street or other property, or one stored lawfully in connection with a licensed dismantler, dealer, or junk dealer (Section 10.04.030).
The Sheriff administers and enforces the chapter and may enter property to examine or remove vehicles (Section 10.04.040). Before removal, a 10-day notice of intention to abate and remove is issued unless the owners sign releases (Section 10.04.060); an owner may request a hearing before a designated hearing officer (Section 10.04.070) and appeal to the Board of Supervisors within five days (Section 10.04.080). Removed vehicles go to a scrapyard, dismantler, or county site (Section 10.04.090), the DMV is notified within five days (Section 10.04.100), and unpaid administrative and removal costs are assessed against the parcel as a tax lien under Government Code Section 25845 (Section 10.04.110).
Violations & Fines
Allowing an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle visible from a street or neighboring property creates a public nuisance under Code Section 10.04.010. After a 10-day notice and any requested hearing, the Sheriff may remove the vehicle, and unpaid administrative plus removal costs are assessed against the property as a county tax lien under Code Section 10.04.110. Report abandoned vehicles to Shasta County Code Enforcement, 1855 Placer Street, Redding, (530) 225-5761.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a vehicle 'abandoned' in unincorporated Shasta County?
Can the county tow a junk car from my own yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shasta County
California rules heatmap·Compare Shasta County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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