Buncombe County, NC Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- County ordinance
- Ch. 26 Art. VI (1998)
- Private property (no consent)
- Abandoned after 2 hours
- County property
- Abandoned after 24 hours
- Public grounds
- Abandoned after 7 days
- Removal from private land
- Needs written request or hazard finding
Summary
Buncombe County prohibits abandoning and junking vehicles on public and private property. Its ordinance (Chapter 26, Article VI) draws authority from NC Gen. Stat. 153A-132. A vehicle can be towed once left over two hours on private property without consent, or over seven days on public grounds.
A county may by ordinance prohibit the abandonment of motor vehicles on public grounds and private property within the county's ordinance-making jurisdiction and on county-owned property wherever located.
Full Breakdown
The county's authority comes from G.S. 153A-132, which lets a county 'by ordinance prohibit the abandonment of motor vehicles on public grounds and private property.' Buncombe adopted its ordinance April 15, 1998, at Chapter 26, Article VI (Sec. 26-276 et seq.). A vehicle is abandoned if left against parking law on public grounds, over 24 hours on county property, over two hours on private property without consent, or over seven days on public grounds; a junked vehicle also lacks a current plate, is wrecked, or cannot be self-propelled. The county cannot pull one off private property without the owner's written request unless it has declared the vehicle a hazard. Removal triggers owner notice and a hearing with district-court appeal.
Violations & Fines
An abandoned or junked vehicle may be towed, stored, and sold under the G.S. 153A-132 hearing procedure; owners owe towing and storage fees, and violating the county ordinance is a Class 3 misdemeanor under NC Gen. Stat. 14-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a vehicle legally abandoned in Buncombe County?
Can the county tow a junked car off my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Buncombe County
Compare Buncombe County to another location·View the North Carolina parking rules overview
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